Organometallic surface functionalization of gold nanoparticles

Click cycloaddition reaction between azidodecanethiol and 4-ethynyl pyridine gave the thiol ligand L. Partial ligand exchange reaction between 1-hexanethiol-protected gold nanoparticles and L produced soluble gold nanoparticles (NP1) containing both linkers: the short 1-hexanethiol provides solubility in common solvents while L contains the free pyridine ligand. NP1 reacted with the complexes [RuCl2(p-cymene)]2 and [RhCl(cod)]2 (cod = cycloocta-1,5-diene) to form Au NPs peripherally functionalized with organometallic Ru (NP2) and Rh (NP3) moieties, respectively. The gold nanoparticles were characterized using NMR, FT-IR, HRTEM, and TGA.

The periphery of Au nanoparticles has been functionalized with pyridine units using ligand exchange processes. The resulting nanoparticles reacted with metal complexes to form Au NPs functionalized with organometallic Ru and Rh moieties.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights
► Synthesis of thiol-pyridine ligands using click cycloaddition reaction.
► Functionalization of Au NPs periphery with py units using ligand exchange processes.
► Coordination of Rh and Ru organometallic fragments to the pyridine surface groups.