Anhydrous solution synthesis of germanium nanocrystals from the germanium(ii) precursor Ge[N(SiMe3)2]2

A convenient, simple, single-source solution synthesis of Ge nanocrystals via thermal reduction of Ge(II) precursor Ge[N(SiMe3)2]2 in a non-coordinating solvent at 300 degrees C and 1 atm Ar is described.