We successfully synthesized 2-diethylaminoethanethiol (DEAET)-protected CdTe nanocrystals (CdTe-DEAET NCs) by exchanging DEAET onto 3-mercaptopropionic acid (MPA)-capped CdTe NCs (CdTe-MPA NCs) for the first time. Noticeable blue-shifts on the UV-vis absorption and photoluminescence spectra, the decrease of particle sizes and strong anodic ECL emission from CdTe-DEAET NCs were observed.