Cubic boron nitride nanorods were prepared at 450degreesC by a low pressure benzene thermal synthesis method using BCl3 and Li3N as the reactants. The nanorods with various lengths and diameters were observed by transmission electron microscopy. The analysis of X-ray diffraction pattern and electron diffraction pattern revealed that the nanorods are cBN with a lattice constant of 3.62 Angstrom. The Fourier transformation infrared spectra showed that the dominant phase is cBN, and the B:N ratio of 1.15:1 can be obtained from the X-ray photoelectron spectrum. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.