A chemical approach to high surface area titanium nitride based materials is presented using a ligand-assisted ammonolysis reaction of solid TiCl₄ complexes at 973 K. The specific surface area of the materials ranges from 37 to 230 m² g^-1 depending on the solid precursor and is higher as compared with conventional gas phase and solvent routes. The shape of the nitrogen physisorption isotherms varies significantly with the choice of the precursor indicating effective morphology control of the particles. The materials are further characterised using TEM, CP/MAS NMR, elemental analyses and X-ray powder diffraction methods. Owing to the high specific surface area and chemical stability, ultrafine TiN powders are promising catalyst supports and active catalysts for example for hydrogen storage applications.