an eta phase composition in powder form , prepared in the absence of sulfur or sulfur bearing compounds , having a surface area greater than about 2m 2 / g and consisting of x 6 y 6 z a wherein x is at least one element selected from the group consisting of mo and w , y is at least one element selected from the group consisting of fe , co , ni , mo and w , z is at least one element selected from the group consisting of c , n and combinations thereof such that when z is n , a is greater than or equal to 1 but less than or equal to 2 and when z is c , a is greater than 1 but less than or equal to 2 except when z is c and y is fe , then a is greater than or equal to 1 but less than or equal to 2 . the eta phase may be a carbide , nitride or carbonitride . a method for producing the eta - phase composition includes providing a precursor compound including at least two eta - phase forming metals , and a ligand containing carbon , nitrogen or combinations thereof . the precursor compound is thermally decomposed in a nonoxidizing atmosphere , free of sulfur or sulfur bearing compounds , and reacts with carbon or nitrogen derived from the decomposition of the ligand with the metals to form the eta - phase . the eta phase forming metals are at least two of the metals tungsten , molybdenum , nickel , cobalt and iron . these eta - phase composition may be used for producing or converting hydrocarbons or alchols . this includes hydrogenation of co , isomerization and dehydrogenation .