The solvothermal reaction of sulfur, selenium, or tellurium with cadmium metal powder in different organic solvents in the temperature range 120-200 degrees C was investigated systematically to prepare cadmium chalcogenides, CdE (E = S, Se, Te). The results showed that the character of the products, such as crystal size, shape, and structure, were strongly influenced by the solvent and temperature during the solvothermal process. One-dimensional nanorods of CdE, with 10-40 nm diameters and several micrometers in length, were obtained by choosing coordinating solvents such as ethylenediamine and 1,6-diaminohexane as the reaction solvent. A solvent coordination molecular template mechanism for the growth of the nanorods was proposed. The CdEs thus produced were analyzed by X-ray powder diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, high-resolution electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and elemental analysis. Ultraviolet-visible absorption, photoluminescence, and Raman spectra were used to characterize the resultant nanometer particles.