Issue 12, 2012

Reaction network governing diphosphine-protected gold nanocluster formation from nascent cationic platforms

Abstract

We identify the reaction network governing gold monolayer protected cluster (MPC) formation during the reduction of Au(PPh3)Cl and L5 (L5 = 1,5-bis(diphenylphosphino)pentane) in solutions. UV-vis spectroscopy and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) monitored the formation of ligated Aux: 6 ≤ x ≤ 12 clusters, which comprise the reaction intermediates and final products. Initially, predominantly [Au2L52]2+ complexes form through dissolution of Au(PPh3)Cl. These complexes control the reduction and nucleation reactions that form nascent phosphine-ligated Au8 and Au10 ionic clusters. [Au10L54]2+ is an observed growth platform for ligated Au11 and Au12 clusters. The data for syntheses of Au : L5 systems evidence that the nascent reaction products (t < 3 days) are less dependent on the chosen reducing agent (borane tert-butylamine complex or NaBH4); instead, after reduction ceases, subsequent solution phase processing provides greater control for tuning cluster nuclearity.

Graphical abstract: Reaction network governing diphosphine-protected gold nanocluster formation from nascent cationic platforms

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
08 Sep 2011
Accepted
05 Dec 2011
First published
16 Feb 2012

Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys., 2012,14, 4142-4154

Reaction network governing diphosphine-protected gold nanocluster formation from nascent cationic platforms

J. M. Pettibone and J. W. Hudgens, Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys., 2012, 14, 4142 DOI: 10.1039/C2CP22865C

To request permission to reproduce material from this article, please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

If you are an author contributing to an RSC publication, you do not need to request permission provided correct acknowledgement is given.

If you are the author of this article, you do not need to request permission to reproduce figures and diagrams provided correct acknowledgement is given. If you want to reproduce the whole article in a third-party publication (excluding your thesis/dissertation for which permission is not required) please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

Read more about how to correctly acknowledge RSC content.

Social activity

Spotlight

Advertisements