Aiming at novel synthesis strategies for base metal nanoparticles, three different types of liquid-phase synthesis were explored. These synthesis strategies allow a straightforward and reliable access to reactive base metal nanoparticles that could yet hardly be obtained via liquid-phase methods. By now, Mo-0, W-0, Fe-0, Re-0, Zn-0, Ti-0 and Gd-0 nanoparticles with particle diameters below 10nm could be obtained. The as-prepared base metal nanoparticles are highly reactive and can be directly reacted to, e.g., alloys, intermetallics, bimetallic heterostructures, and metal nitrides.