Hollow, nested inorganic fullerene-type MoQ(2) (Q = S, Se) nanoparticles (see Figure) are prepared in high yield and on a large scale from organometallic precursors. The MoQ(2) nanoparticles are obtained by a gas-phase synthesis (using metal-organic chemical vapor deposition) from Mo(CO)(6) and S/Se, followed by a subsequent annealing step.