The TiC-ZrC binary compound of nanostructured powders was synthesised by combination of sol-gel and carbothermal reduction. The polymeric precursor of the blend was produced by sol-gel process from titanium tetrabutoxide, zirconium tetrabutoxide and benzene-1.4-diol; then carbothermally reduced to the TiC-ZrC blend at 1600 degrees C in an inert environment. The chemical reactions occurring in the system were monitored by infrared spectrometry. Stable alkoxide solution was obtained by adding acetylacetone to avoid premature gelation of the metal alkoxide mixture. A solid solution of ZrTiC2 was produced by spark plasma sintering at temperature of 2000 degrees C. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.