Solid-liquid metathesis reactions of titanium and vanadium tetrachlorides with sodium pnictides (Na3E; E= P,As,Sb, Bi) are spontaneous and violently exothermic. For E = P and As, titanium and vanadium pnictides (ME) form by metathetical exchange. Ternary products (T(ix)V1-xE and TiAsP) are readily produced. For E = Sb and Bi, metal and pnictogen are the products. The materials formed are very similar to those from conventional solid-state preparations but with considerable savings in time and energy. 3MCl4 + 4Na3E --> 3ME + 12NaCl + E M = Ti, V; E = P, As