Methods are effectively established for the management of nanoparticle form and dimension in colloidal synthesis, however little or no is known about precursor interactions and their results on the resultant crystalline part. Right here we present that oleate, a floor stabilizing ligand that’s ubiquitous in nanocrystal synthesis, performs a big function within the mechanism of part number of numerous metallic sulfide nanoparticles when thiourea is used because the sulfur supply. Fuel and solid-phase FTIR, 13C, and 1H NMR research revealed that oleate and thiourea work together to provide oleamide which promotes the isomeric shift of thiourea into ammonium thiocyanate, a much less reactive sulfur reagent. Due to these sulfur sequestering reactions, sulfur poor and metastable nanoparticles are produced, a pattern seen throughout 4 completely different metals: copper, iron, nickel, and cobalt. At low carboxylate concentrations, powder XRD indicated that the next phases fashioned: covellite (CuS); vaesite (NiS2); smythite (FeS1.3), greigite (FeS1.3), marcasite (FeS2) and pyrite (FeS2); and cattierite (CoS2). At excessive sodium oleate focus, these phases fashioned: digenite (CuS0.55), nickel sulfide (NiS), pyrrhotite (FeS1.1), and jaipurite (CoS).