The formation of nanoparticulate cobalt carbide, Co2C, encapsulated in an amorphous siliceous matrix

Reaction of octahydridooctasesquisiloxane with Co2(CO)8 in hexane affords the complex [Si8O12H6]{Co(CO)4}2 which on pyrolysis at 300 °C in vacuo gives nanoparticulate Co2C encapsulated in an amorphous siliceous matrix; the magnetic coercivity of this material is 3.5 kOe.