Abstract: The invention relates to a process for producing a structured shaped body or a layer of this type from a precursor of a metal oxide or mixed oxide selected from compounds of metals selected from among magnesium, strontium, barium, aluminum, gallium, indium, silicon, tin, lead and the transition metals. The process includes at least the following steps: (a) dissolving at least one compound of the at least one metal in an organic solvent and/or exchanging a ligand of the one or more dissolved metallic compounds for a stabilizing ligand, (b) adding a ligand that has at least one photochemically polymerizable group and at least one such group that allows a stable complex formation to the solution and forming a sol with or from the product of this reaction (precursor), (c) applying the sol on a substrate, and (d) exposing the sol anisotropically in such a way that a polymerization of the photochemically polymerizable groups takes place in the exposed areas.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for producing a structured shaped body or a layer of this type from a precursor of a metal oxide or mixed oxide selected from among magnesium, strontium, barium, aluminum, gallium, indium, silicon, tin, lead and the transition metals.