A rapid synthesis route for the preparation of CdS nanoribbons has been developed. CdS nanoribbons of about 4 nm in diameter have been prepared by the microwave irradiation of an ethylenediamine (en) solution of 1-pyrrlidine dithio carboxylic acid ammonium salt (APDTC) and cadmium chloride under ambient air. The nanoribbons are characterized by high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy-dispersive X-ray analysis, absorption spectroscopy, diffuse reflection spectroscopy, and PL spectroscopy.