MoS2 nanoflake clusters were synthesized via hydrothermal treatment of an air-stable, easily obtained single-source molecular precursor (molybdenum diethyldithiocarbamate oxide, Mo((C2H5)(2)NCS2)(2)O-2) in deionized water at 200 degrees C for 24 h; and orthorhombic phase MoO3 (alpha-MoO3) nanoplate clusters were obtained by heating MoS2 nanoflake clusters in air at 350 degrees C for 5 h. The obtained products were characterized by X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy and field emission scanning electronic microscopy. Besides, the comparative synthesis experiment by direct pyrolysis of ammonium peramolybdate suggested that MoS2 nanoflake clusters might play a template role in the formation of alpha-MoO3 nanoplate clusters. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.