Li7V0.5Mn0.5N4 crystallizes in the space group of P-43n, which consists of eight zinc-blende GaN-like [Li0.75V0.125Mn0.125N](-) lattices whose empty tetrahedral sites next to N are filled with He-like Li+ ions. Li7V0.5Mn0.5N4 is grown by the direct reaction between Li3N, VN and Mn powders under N-2 atmosphere of 700 Torr at 973 K for 6 h. The band gap of Li7V0.5Mn0.5N4 evaluated using an optical absorption method is 1.10 eV, which is attributed to the transition from the N-2p valence band to the Mn-3d related conduction band. An electron paramagnetic resonance and magnetic susceptibility measurements show that Li7V0.5Mn0.5N4 is paramagnetic, which is attributed to a metallic electron configuration because of the partially occupied Mn-3d related band. (c) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.