A one-step synthesis of cadmium selenide quantum dots from a novel single source precursor.

A new approach to the one-step synthesis of cadmium selenide (CdSe) quantum dots is reported using the air stable complex cadmium imino-bis(diisopropylphosphine selenide); the ligand is readily prepared from elemental selenium and the precursor, quantum dots of comparable quality to those prepared by conventional methods are obtained.