alpha-Fe single crystals of rhombic dodecahedral habit were grown from a Li84N12Fe similar to 3 melt. Crystals of several millimeter along a side form at temperatures around T approximate to 800 degrees C. Upon further cooling the growth competes with the formation of Fe-doped Li3N. The b.c.c. structure and good sample quality of alpha-Fe single crystals were confirmed by X-ray and electron diffraction as well as magnetization measurements and chemical analysis. A nitrogen concentration of 90 ppm was detected by means of carrier gas hot extraction. Scanning electron microscopy did not reveal any sign of iron nitride precipitates. (C) 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.