lˌæ sˈiː tˈuː kæn biː pɹɪpˈɛɹd baɪ ɹɪˈæktɪŋ lˈænθænəm ˈɑːksaɪd, lˌæ tˈuː ˈoʊ θɹˈiː, wɪð kˈɑːɹbən ɪn ɐn ᵻlˈɛktɹɪk fˈɜːnɪs, ɔːɹ baɪ mˈɛltɪŋ pˈɛlɪts ʌvðɪ ˈɛlɪmənts ɪn ɐn ˈɑːɹk fˈɜːnɪs.
LaC2 can be prepared by reacting lanthanum oxide, La2O3, with carbon in an electric furnace, or by melting pellets of the elements in an arc furnace.