N 4Àx units with x = 0, 1, 2). In addition, a considerable amount of hydrogen is present even at this temperature. The NMR studies have further shown that above 1700°C the amorphous ceramic demixes, along with the formation of crystalline silicon nitride and silicon carbide. Likewise, structural changes for BN domains have been registered that are attributed to the formation of turbostratic BN(C) interface layers. In summary, the present study has demonstrated that the combination of multinuclear solid-state NMR and FT IR spectroscopy is a powerful method to probe the thermolytic preparation of ternary and quaternary ceramic materials.