The so far unknown lead tricyanomethanide, Pb[C(CN) 3 ] 2 , was obtained from a saturated aqueous solution of PbCl 2 and solid AgC(CN) 3 . Its IR spectrum and thermal behaviour are described. The crystal structure was determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction (trigonal, P31m, Z = 3, a = 1414.4(5), c = 409.02(6) pm, R 1 = 0.0249, wR 2 = 0.0527). Two crystallographically independent ninefold coordinated Pb atoms are connected by planar tricyanomethanide ions in two distinct bridging coordination modes. The Pb−N distances range between 254 and 293 pm.