A novel soluble precursor with a Zr-N-Zr backbone structure was prepared by an aminolysis reaction of Zr(NEt2)(4) with Pr(i)N(H)2. Pyrolysis of the precursor under NH3-N-2 atmospheres led to the formation of ZrN as a main crystalline phase with a ceramic yield of 45.2%. Aggregated particles consisting of very minute particles with diameters of 50-300 nrl were obtained.