In this Letter, we report the synthesis of beta-SiC nanorods by the pyrolysis of a polysilazane polymeric precursor in the presence of 3 wt% FeCl2, as a catalyst. The precursor is completely converted to the nanorods after heat-treated at 1700 degreesC for 2 h, accompanied by similar to50% weight loss. Electron microscopy study reveals that the nanorods preferentially grow along [111] direction; and the diameters of the nanorods range from 80 to 200 nm and lengths are similar to4 mum A solid-liquid-solid growth mechanism is proposed. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.