We reported the synthesis of carbon nitride powder by extracting titanium from single inorganic precursor TiC0.3N0.7 in chlorine-containing atmosphere at ambient pressure and temperature not exceeding 500 degrees C. The TiC0.3N0.7 crystalline structure acted as a template, supplying active carbon and nitrogen atoms for carbon nitride when it was destroyed in chlorination. X-ray diffraction data showed that the obtained carbon nitride powders were amorphous, which was in good agreement with transmission electron microscope analysis. The composition and structure of carbon nitride powders were analyzed by employing Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Results indicated that disorder structure was most likely for the carbon nitride powders and the N content depended greatly on the chlorination temperature. Thermal analysis in flowing N-2 indicated that the mass loss started from 300 degrees C and the complete decomposition occurred at around 650 degrees C, confirming the low thermal stability of the carbon nitride material. (C) 2010 Elsevier BM. All rights reserved.