Transition metal carbides and process for making same

A process for making a transition metal carbide comprising pyrolyzing a tractable transition metal amide of the formula

• M.sub.x (NR.sup.1 R.sup.2).sub.y
• where M is a transition metal selected from the group consisting of Sc, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Y, Zr, Nb, Mo, Tc, Ru, Rh, Pd, Hf, Ta, W, Re, Os, Ir, Pt, and all elements from atomic number 89 on, x is an integer and is equal to or greater than 2, R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are the same or different and are hydrogen, lower alkyl, trimethylsilyl, or ethylene, with the proviso that both R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are not hydrogen, and y is an integer equal to the valence of the M.sub.x unit, under nonoxidizing conditions at a temperature at which a carbon-containing group of the amido group of the amide undergoes chemical reaction with a metal atom of the amide to form at least one covalent carbon-to-metal bond.