Published online by Cambridge University Press: 25 February 2011
ntial catalytic applications [1]. Also, in non-catalytic areas, there is a move to build alloy powders from large metal clusters [2]. Therefore, we have initiated a program to develop intermetallic powders from mixedmetal organometallic precursors [3]. Here we report the synthesis and characterization of iron-cobalt intermetallic powders obtained from heteroorganometallic clusters [4]. Our objective therefore is to (1) provide a simple and effective means of synthesizing iron-cobalt intermetallics (2) vary the ratio of iron to cobalt in such intermetallics, and (3) provide a method to produce homogeneous products from iron-cobalt metalorganic precursors specifically synthesized for this purpose. The resulting intermetallics may have unique magnetic characteristics.