The cation-mixed compounds Cd0.5Fe0.5PS3, Cd0.5Mn0.5PS3, Fe0.5Mn0.5PS3, and Fe0.5Ni0.5PS3 have been synthesized from the corresponding elements at 1023 K. These compounds have been characterized by powder X-ray diffraction, conductivity, and magnetic susceptibility measurements. The conductivity at room temperature of the M'MPS3 phases lies between the conductivity values for the corresponding end-member phases MPS3. The magnetic measurements show that the magnetic interaction of the MPS3 phases is retained in the mixed phases, but the magnetic order is weakened due to the disordered arrangements of the metal ions in M'MPS3 phases. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.