We consider the superstructures, which can be formed in spinels containing on
B-sites the transition-metal ions with partially filled t2g levels. We show
that, when such systems are close to itinerant state (e.g. have an
insulator-metal transition), there may appear in them an orbitally-driven
Peierls state. We explain by this mechanism the very unusual superstructures
observed in CuIr2S4 (octamers) and MgTi2O4 (chiral superstructures) and suggest
that similar phenomenon should be observed in NaTiO2 and possibly in some other
systems.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figure
