TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Components: The coordinating solvent is N-methylimidazole (preferably), pyrazole, triazole, and/or tetrazole. A further solvent is added to the coordinating solvent, the further solvent being acetonitrile, dichloromethane, 1-6C alcohols (e.g. ethanol or isopropanol), dimethylsulfoxide, 2-10C amides (e.g. dimethylformamide), 3-10C linear carbonates (e.g. dimethylcarbonate, diethylcarbonate, ethylmethylcarbonate), 3-10C cyclic carbonates (e.g. ethylene carbonate, propylene carbonate), 1-6C alkylurea (e.g. tetramethylurea), ionic liquids, and/or a room temperature molten salt. The room temperature molten salt comprises a cation consisting of dialkylimidazolium, trialkylsulfonium, quaternary amine (e.g. 1-20C tetraalkylammonium) or quaternary phosphonium (e.g. 1-20C tetraalkylphosphonium or 6-12C tetraarylphosphonium), or an anion consisting of (FSO2)2N-, (CF3SO2)2N-, (C2F5SO2)2N-, (CF3SO2)3C-, CF3SO3-, CF3COO-, AsF6-, CH30OO-, (CN)2N-, NO3-, 2.3HF, Cl-, Br-, I-, PF6-, BF4-, and ClO4-. The coordinating solvent consists of compounds of formulae (1)-(11).R1-R4=H, 1-12C alkyl, 3-12C cycloalkyl, 1-12C heterocyclyl, 2-8C alkenyl, 2-8C alkynyl, 6-12C aryl, 6-20C aralkyl, 6-20C alkylaryl, or 1-12C heteroaryl; andR1R2=5-14 membered heterocyclyl or is part of polymer chain or network.Preferred Process: The reactions are carried out at -10-180degreesC, preferably -5-50degreesC or at room temperature. The chalcopyrite-type compound is precipitated, and separated from a mixture comprising the coordinating solvent and a by-product solubilized, by filtration. The group III-containing compound, group I-containing compound and coordinating solvent are mixed and agitated in a sonic bath to obtain the metal-containing compound. Preferred Definitions: (i)X1=Cl-, Br-, I-, F-, CH3COO-, or NO3-;    (ii)X1=Cl-;    (iii)    M2=Li+, Na+ or K+; and    X2=Cl-, Br-, I-, F-, or CN-;    (iv)    M2=Li+; and    X2=Cl-;    (v)    M2=Li+; and    X2=I-;    (vi)    M2=Li+; and    X2=CN-;    (vii)    M1=In3+;    M2=Li+, Na+, or K+;    M3=Cu+, or Ag+;    A=S or Se; and    X2=Cl-, Br-, I-, F-, or CN-;    (viii)    M1=In3+;    M2=Li+, Na+, or K+;    M3=Cu+, or Ag+;    A=S; and    X2=Cl-, or CN-.    SPECIFIC COMPOUNDS - (60) Chalcopyrite-type compounds are specifically claimed, e.g. copper indium sulfide (CuInS2), copper indium selenide (CuInSe2), copper indium telluride (CuInTe2), gold indium sulfide (AuInS2),or gold indium selenide (AuInSe2).    EXAMPLE - Indium chloride (InCl3, 165.9 mg) was dissolved in anhydrous N-methylimidazole (NMI, 17 ml) under argon at room temperature. Lithium sulfide (137.8 mg) was suspended in NMI (15 ml) at room temperature. Both compositions or solutions were mixed and after 1 hour of ultrasonic bath treatment, a transparent yellowish solution (solution A) was obtained. In a separate flask, copper chloride (CuCl, 74.2 mg) was dissolved in NMI (9 ml) under argon (solution B). After both solutions A and B were cooled to 5degreesC, solution B was added dropwise over 15 minutes to solution A under argon. The resulting dark orange suspension was stable against aggregation. The mixture was stirred during 12 hours at 5degreesC. The particles were centrifuged, filtered and dried at room temperature under vacuum overnight. The copper indium sulfide (CulnS2) particles were annealed at 500degreesC, under vacuum of 100 mTorr for 2 hours. Better crystallinity was observed.