NHC-stabilized Ru nanoparticles: Synthesis and surface studies

A family of N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC)-stabilized Ru nanoparticles has been synthesized by using various NHC ligands, including a chiral one. The surface reactivity of the so-obtained RuNHC nanoparticles has been explored after reacting them with CO with the aim to probe the nature and availability of surface metal sites. Hydrogenation catalytic tests were also performed with the RuNHC NPs stabilized by a chiral ligand in order to evaluate their ability in enantioselective catalysis.