The MgB2 related borocarbide MgB2C2 was synthesized and various attempts were made to hole dope the material. MgB2C2 is orthorhombic (space group Cmca a = 10.92 Angstrom, h = 9.45 Angstrom, = 7.45 Angstrom) with [B/C] nets. Successful synthesis was carried out from pure elements by a solid state reaction method in a closed environment. Theoretical calculations indicate the possibility of hole doping of MgB2C2 to be favorable for superconductivity due to the flat band (in the T-Y direction) similar to one in MgB2. Hole doping of MgB2C2 was attempted by two routes: (1) substitutional dope of Mg with alkali metals, (2) doping in the [B/C] nets, and as a result Li doping was indicated to be feasible with a possible semiconductor to metal transition induced. High pressure synthesis of (Mg,Li)B2C2 was also attempted but only resulted in formation of the LiBC phase. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.