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The Kratschmer-Huffman electric-arc generator typically produces endohedral metallofullerenes in low yields with a wide array of different products, but the introduction of nitrogen leads to a new family of encapsulates. A family of endohedral metallofullerenes A[sub n]B[sub 3n]N@C[sub 2n] (n=0–3, x=34, 39, and 40) where A and B are Group III and rare-earth metals is formed by a trimetallic nitride template (TNT) process in relatively high yields. The archetypal representative of this new class is the stable endohedral metallofullerene, Sc[sub 3]N@C[sub 80] containing a triscandium nitride cluster encapsulated in an icosahedron (I[sub h]), C[sub 80] cage. The Sc[sub 3]N@C[sub 80] is formed in yields even exceeding empty-cage C[sub 84]. Other prominent scandium TNT members are Sc[sub 3]N@C[sub 68] and Sc[sub 3]N@C[sub 78]. The former Sc[sub 3]N@C[sub 68] molecule represents an exception to the well known isolated pentagon rule (IPR), These new molecules were purified by chromatography with corresponding characterization by various spectroscopic approaches. In this paper we focus on the characterization and properties of this fascinating new class of materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]