A novel metalorganic route to small (ca. 2 nm diameter) InAs nanocrystals has been developed. The nanocrystals were analysed by a number of methods including HRTEM, photoluminescence and electronic spectroscopy. Distinct quantum size effects were observed in the optical properties, attributable to the nanoparticles having dimensions smaller than the Bohr exciton diameter of InAs (ca. 740 Å). The nanoparticles were spin coated into a thin film, the morphology of which was investigated by atomic force microscopy (AFM).