N-heterocyclic carbene-functionalized magic-number gold nanoclusters
Open Access
- 15 April 2019
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Springer Science and Business Media LLC in Nature Chemistry
- Vol. 11 (5), 419-425
- https://doi.org/10.1038/s41557-019-0246-5
Abstract
Magic-number gold nanoclusters are atomically precise nanomaterials that have enabled unprecedented insight into structure–property relationships in nanoscience. Thiolates are the most common ligand, binding to the cluster via a staple motif in which only central gold atoms are in the metallic state. The lack of other strongly bound ligands for nanoclusters with different bonding modes has been a significant limitation in the field. Here, we report a previously unknown ligand for gold(0) nanoclusters—N-heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs)—which feature a robust metal–carbon single bond and impart high stability to the corresponding gold cluster. The addition of a single NHC to gold nanoclusters results in significantly improved stability and catalytic properties in the electrocatalytic reduction of CO2. By varying the conditions, nature and number of equivalents of the NHC, predominantly or exclusively monosubstituted NHC-functionalized clusters result. Clusters can also be obtained with up to five NHCs, as a mixture of species.Keywords
This publication has 48 references indexed in Scilit:
- Properties of the gold–sulphur interface: from self-assembled monolayers to clustersNanoscale, 2015
- Bonding properties of thiolate-protected gold nanoclusters and structural analogs from X-ray absorption spectroscopyNanotechnology Reviews, 2015
- Role of Au4 Units on the Electronic and Bonding Properties of Au28(SR)20 Nanoclusters from X-ray SpectroscopyThe Journal of Physical Chemistry C, 2014
- NIR electrochemiluminescence from Au25− nanoclusters facilitated by highly oxidizing and reducing co-reactant radicalsChemical Science, 2014
- Nonscalable Oxidation Catalysis of Gold ClustersAccounts of Chemical Research, 2013
- Quantum Sized Gold Nanoclusters with Atomic PrecisionAccounts of Chemical Research, 2012
- The gold–sulfur interface at the nanoscaleNature Chemistry, 2012
- Quantum sized, thiolate-protected gold nanoclustersNanoscale, 2009
- Structure of a Thiol Monolayer-Protected Gold Nanoparticle at 1.1 Å ResolutionScience, 2007
- Divide and Protect: Capping Gold Nanoclusters with Molecular Gold−Thiolate RingsThe Journal of Physical Chemistry B, 2006