A survey of place-exchange reaction for the preparation of water-soluble gold nanoparticles

► Four AuNP precursors were studied for their reactivity to place-exchange reaction. ► A panel of varied water-soluble ligands was used to react with the AuNP precursors. ► Specific precursor AuNPs have broad reactivities compared with the others. ► Some precursor reactivity is selective to small unhindered and amphiphilic ligands.