Synthesis of anti-perovskite-type carbides and nitrides from metal oxides and melamine.

Four anti-perovskite-type compounds, ZnNNi, ZnCNi, SnNCo, and SnCCo, are synthesised through reactions between metal oxides and organic compound melamine (CHN). ZnNNi and ZnCNi are selectively synthesised by choosing different reaction temperatures and nominal oxide-to-melamine ratios. SnNCo is synthesised for the first time by this melamine method.