The synthesis of nanostructures is an emerging area in nanoscience and technology with the possibility of numerous applications in micro and nanodevices. Confined electrodeposition can be achieved through the use of suitable templates. by which the electrodeposition occurs in natural or artificial holes of an insulating layer on a conducting substrate. Here,we present a procedure based on the selective desorption of 3-mercaptopropionic acid (MPA) from a mixture with 1-dodecanethiols (DDT) that forms a compact SAM on Ag(111). The compound grown is CdS, whose experimental growth conditions are simple and reproducible and make it a good "electrodeposition probe". (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.