Abstract: Disclosed is a water soluble nanocrystal having a core comprising at least one metal M1 selected from an element of subgroup IIb, subgroup VIIa, subgroup VI11a, subgroup 1b, subgroup IV, main group II or main group III of the periodic system of the elements (PSE), at least one element A selected from an element of the main group V or VI of the periodic system of the elements, wherein a capping reagent is attached to the surface of the core of the nanocrystal, and wherein the capping reagent forms a host guest complex with a water soluble host molecule.

Abstract: Disclosed is a water soluble nanocrystal comprising a nanocrystal core comprising at least one metal M1 selected from an element of main group II, subgroup VIIA, subgroup VIIIA, subgroup IB, subgroup IIB, main group III or main group IV of the periodic system of the elements (PSE), at least one element A selected from main group V or main group VI of the PSE, a capping reagent attached to the surface of the core of the nanocrystal, and a water soluble polymer covalently coupled with the capping reagent to form a water soluble polymer shell over the nanocrystal core. Also disclosed are compositions comprising such nanocrystals and uses of such nanocrystals.

Abstract: The invention relates to a water soluble nanocrystal with a nanocrystal core comprising at least one metal M1 selected form an element of main group II, VIIA, subgroup VIIA, subgroup IB, subgroup IIB, main group III or main group IV of the periodic system of the elements (PSE), at least one element A selected from main group V or main group VI of the PSE, a capping reagent attached to the surface of the core of the nanocrystal, said capping reagent having at least two coupling groups, and a second layer comprising a low molecular weight coating reagent having at least two coupling moieties covalently coupled with the coating reagent, and at least one water soluble group for conferring water solubility to the second layer.