The synthesis of phase-pure BiFeO3 has been demonstrated by a chemical synthesis route as well as the solid-state method at 825 degrees C. Polymeric BiFeO3 precursors were obtained from aqueous solutions of nitrate salts and carboxylic acids with and without ethylene glycol added as a polymerization agent. The polymeric precursors were shown to decompose above 200 degrees C with successive nucleation and growth of BiFeO3 above 400 degrees C. The phase purity of the product was shown to depend on the type of carboxylic acid used, and tartaric, malic, and maleic acids resulted in nanocrystalline phase-pure BiFeO3. The unit cell and Neel temperature of the bulk materials obtained by the two methods were in accord with previous reports.