The micro-meter-sized Fe(1-x)S U-shaped slots can be successfully synthesized on a large scale from a beta-cyclodextrin (CD)-assisted intercalation-induced growth process at 230 degrees C for 48 h, which uses the reaction of ferrocene, S and P-CD in ethylenediamine solvent. The structure, the morphology and the property of the products are derived from X-ray power diffraction (XRD) pattern, X-ray photoelectron spectra (XPS), scanning electronic microscope (SEM), transmission electronic microscope (TEM), thermal gravimetric (TG) analysis and magnetization measurement. The as-prepared magnetic Fe(1-x)S U-shaped slots are ferromagnetic and their magnetization at room temperature is similar to 15 emu g(-1). The possible growth mechanism for the micro-sized Fe(1-x)S U-shaped slots is discussed. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.