Here we report a novel pathway for the synthesis of silver nanoparticles. Spontaneous reduction of silver 2-ethylhexanoate [Ag(ethex)] takes place in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) at room temperature. The reaction is slow and markedly depends on temperature leading to the formation of silver nanoparticles (NPs) with a surface plasmon resonant band maximum centered at 424 nm. Colloidal silver is not stable in DMSO without stabilizing agents. When sodium citrate (1 × 10 -4 M) is utilized as a capping agent, the surface plasmon shifts to 414 nm and the surface-modified silver nanoparticles are stable for more than 6 months. The resulting nanoparticles are quite stable but at the same time reactive enough for catalytic purposes. An HR-TEM study shows a nanoparticles size distribution centered in 4.4 nm of diameter (SD ) 1.2) and a considerable number of defects such as stacking faults and twined particles. From ab initio quantum mechanical calculations, we propose a possible precursor for the spontaneous reduction of [Ag(ethex)] in DMSO. In addition, the interaction between NO and silver nanoparticles was tested. UV-visible spectra show the oxidation of silver and the reduction of NO at room temperature. The most probable products of this reaction are N 2 O, molecular nitrogen, and oxygen. Therefore, we have a simple catalytic colloidal system for NO.