Electrochemically active alpha-LiFeO2 has been synthesized at low temperatures of less than 250 degrees C via H+/Li+ ionic exchange reaction in an alcoholic solution using iron oxyhydroxide (alpha-FeOOH) and a large excess lithium hydroxide as starting materials. It was found that the presence of water in the reaction bath plays a decisive role in generating the low temperature (LT) alpha-LiFeO2 phase. The LT alpha-LiFeO2 phase, as a cathode active material, was found to exhibit electrochemical rechargeability in a lithium cell with a cycling capacity of about 0.2Li/LiFeO2 in the 1.5 V to 4.5 V range, in contrast to the non-rechargeable high temperature analog (HT alpha-LiFeO2). A preliminary X-ray diffraction study on structural changes in the cathode during cycling showed minimal lattice parameter change.