A new kind of polysilazane precursor containing linear-cyclic structure was synthesized from the de-lithium chloride condensation reaction of hexamethyleyelotrisilazane lithium salts (D-3(NLi)) and 1,3-dichlorotetraorganoclisilazanes [(ClR1R2Si)(2)NH]. Pyrolyses of these precursors and some comparable linear polysilazanes were carried out at 900 degreesC in nitrogen. The results indicated that the existence of linear-cyclic structure in precursors provided relatively crosslinked or branched structures, which were helpful for improving ceramic yields. The precursor containing a linear-cyclic structure as well as reactive vinyl groups gave the highest pyrolytic yields.