In this work, nanostructured PbSe materials have been prepared via a solvothermal method at 180 degrees C with the aid of new lead precursors like Schiff-base compounds; Pb(salpn) and Pb(salophen). Besides lead complexes as lead precursor, SeCl4, and N2H4 center dot H2O as starting materials and propylene glycol as solvent were applied. On the other hand, the effect of preparation factors such as type of reducing and capping agent on the morphology of PbSe nanostructures was investigated. The as-prepared PbSe nanostructures were characterized by XRD, SEM, TEM, EDS, and FT-IR. The SEM micrographs of the products indicated that PbSe nanostructures with lower particle size were obtained after solvothermal treatment for 3 h at 180 degrees C in the presence of hydrazine hydrate as reducing agent. The as-obtained results indicated that pure and homogeneous PbSe nanostructures have been form by using Pb(salpn) as precursor. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.