In this article a new method of synthesizing ultrafine powder of vanadium carbide V 8C 7 by a combination of classic liquid-phase precipitation on a carbon support and low-temperature microwave heat treatment is proposed. An entire spectrum of intermediates obtained during thermolysis, reduction, and carbidization of precursors to the final product has been presented. The structure, morphology and distribution according to the particle size, phase structure and specific surface area of samples has been shown.