A comparison of various group IV-VIII bulk metal nitride catalysts identified Co4N and Fe3N as having higher pyridine hydrodenitrogenation activity per unit area than Mo2N. Formation of the metal nitrides was confirmed by X-ray diffraction and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and all the nitrides were prepared from metal oxide precursors using the same temperature-programmed reaction technique. In general, the specific activity of the metal nitrides decreased with increased hear of formation of the metal nitride.