Synthesis and Structure of Two New Ternary Nitrides: FeWN2 and MnMoN2

New layered ternary transition metal nitrides, FeWN 2 and MnMoN 2, were synthesized in single-step reactions by the ammonolysis of ternary transition metal oxides. Solid-state precursors FeWO 4 and MnMoO 4 were treated with ammonia at 625 and 800 °C to yield the ternary nitrides FeWN 2 ( P 6 3 / mmc; a = 2.87630(5) Å, c = 10.9320(4) Å) and MnMoN 2 ( P 6 3 / mmc; a = 2.92262(8) Å, b = 10.8564(4) Å), respectively. Structures are proposed on the basis of Rietveld analysis of powder X-ray diffraction data. These compounds are members of a family of layered hexagonal ternary nitrides, consisting of alternating layers of MN 6 (M = Fe, Mn) octahedra and M‘N 6 (M‘ = W, Mo) trigonal prisms. The conductivity data for both compounds indicate metallic-like behavior.