A new solvothermal method for the synthesis of thiol-protected silver nanoparticles starting from silver thiolates is reported. The method has been tried with thiols of different chain length, such as octane and octadecane thiols, and the particle size was found to be nearly the same for both molecules. The synthesis was dependent on heating conditions and the best results were obtained when the temperature was between 180 and 200 degreesC. Addition of complexation agents such as acetyl acetone or triethylamine to the solvent did not change the product distribution significantly. (C) 2003 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.