Synthesis of DPA dendron encapsulated gold clusters with metal-assembling function

Gold clusters modified with first, second and third generation dendritic polyphenylazomethines (DPA) were synthesized by an exchanged reaction of corresponding DPA dendron thiols. Measurements by high performance perfect sizer (HPPS) and TEM reveal that their diameters increase with a change in the chain length of the modifying molecules from the first to third generation. These gold clusters with DPA dendrons exhibit coordination quantitatively to metal ions such as Fe3+, Sn2+, etc., because of their imine groups; this then resulted in self-aggregation to form a large sphere.