Well-defined octahedral Znq(2) has been synthesized via a facile solvothermal route. Field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images show that the as-prepared product has an octahedral structure with an edge length of 2 mu m. The reaction parameters, such as solvent, reaction time and temperature, play an important part in the morphology of the final product. A possible formation mechanism for octahedral Znq(2) is proposed. The as-prepared octahedral Znq(2) exhibits excellent electrogenerated chemiluminescence (ECL) behaviour. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.