Solvent-mediated room temperature synthesis of highly crystalline Cu9S5 (Cu1.8S), CuSe, PbS, and PbSe from their elements.

Highly crystalline Cu(9)S(5) (Cu(1.8)S), CuSe, PbS, and PbSe are obtained by reacting the elements in 2-mercaptoethanol as the solvent for 24 h at room temperature. The elemental reactions of copper and lead with sulfur in ethylene glycol were successful, yielding CuS and PbS, respectively. Metal sulfide formation was not observed using dimercaptoethane.