Nanocrystalline chromium nitride (CrN) particles were prepared by the pyrolysis of Cr[OC(NH2)(2)](6)Cl-3 coordination compound in ammonia gas. The compound was characterized by infrared spectrum analysis and thermogravimetry-differential scanning calorimetry (TG-DSC). X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were used to investigate the phase and morphology of the CrN powders. The CrN particle size obtained at 600 degreesC was as small as 7 nm. The influence of reaction temperature and time on particle sizes was also studied. The formation of CrN nanoparticles was proposed following nucleation and growth mechanism on the basis of the experimental results. (C) 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.