A series of late transition metal, selenides were prepared within 180 degreesC in ethylenediamine. Both anhydrous and hydrous starting materials could be used as long as the reducing oxalates were involved. As-prepared FeSe2, CoSe2, NiSe2, and Cu2-xSe crystallites were rod-like, disc-like, octahedral, and plate-like, respectively. Sulfides and tellurides of these late transition metals with different morphologies may also be synthesized by this preparative method. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.