Cd4Cl3(OH)(5) particles, for use as a CdS photocatalyst precursor with hollow morphology, were successfully synthesized at room temperature via a one-step process, using boric acid or sodium borate as a buffer. The identification of the morphology and characterization of synthesized particles by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy coupled with energy-dispersive X-ray analysis (HR-TEM/EDX) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) revealed that Cd4Cl3(OH)(5) was the main compound. with a size of 40-100 nm, and boron was mostly concentrated on the shell covering nanosized Cd4Cl3(OH)(5) particles. Compared with the traditional synthetic methods, this approach has benefits of direct, easy synthesis without the need for additional treatment. It is suggested that boron should play an important role in the synthesis of hollow morphology.