A small number of amorphous nanograins with a silica-free, iron-alumina composition was formed during laboratory condensation of a low-silica Al-Fe-SiO-H-2-O-2 vapor. Very rapid cooling of the vapor created conditions that were conducive to the formation of deep metastable eutectic compounds with a specific composition. High Fe2+/Fe3+ ratios during condensation are reflected in the 1.8FeO center dot 0.6Fe(2)O(3) center dot Al2O3 composition of this amorphous deep metastable eutectic compound. (c) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.