Thin solid films of metal sulfides: Cu2S, CuS, PbS, Sb2-xBixS3, Ag2S and HgS, and two selenides, Cu2Se and PbSe, were prepared by the technique of electroless chemical deposition. For the purpose of recording the Raman spectra, the metal sulfides (selenides) were deposited on glass substrates. All deposited thin films, as well as bulk samples, were characterized by the X-ray diffraction technique. The recorded Raman spectra were compared with the corresponding spectra of bulk metal sulfides (selenides) and discussed in terms of available structural data. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science B.V.