Reaction Network Governing Diphosphine-Protected Gold Nanocluster Formation from Nascent Cationic Platforms

Published

February 16, 2012

Author(s)

John M. Pettibone, Jeffrey W. Hudgens

Abstract

We identify the reaction network governing gold monolayer protected cluster (MPC) formation during the reduction of Au(PPh₃)Cl and L⁵ (L⁵ = 1,5-bis(diphenylphosphino)pentane) in solutions. UV-vis spectroscopy and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) monitored the formation of ligated Au_x : 6 ≤ x ≤ 12 clusters, which comprise the reaction intermediates and final products. Initially, predominantly [Au₂L⁵₂]²⁺ complexes form through dissolution of Au(PPh₃)Cl. These complexes control the reduction and nucleation reactions that form nascent phosphine-ligated Au₈ and Au₁₀ ionic clusters. [Au₁₀L⁵₄]²⁺ is an observed growth platform for ligated Au₁₁ and Au₁₂ clusters. The data for syntheses of Au:L⁵ systems evidence that the nascent reaction products (t < 3 days) are less dependent on the chosen reducing agent (borane tert-butylamine complex or NaBH₄); instead, after reduction ceases, subsequent solution phase processing provides greater control for tuning cluster nuclearity.

Citation

Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics

Volume

14

Pub Type

Journals

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Keywords

gold, cluster, nanoparticle, electrospray mass spectrometry, reaction pathway, nucleation

Citation

Pettibone, J. and Hudgens, J. (2012), Reaction Network Governing Diphosphine-Protected Gold Nanocluster Formation from Nascent Cationic Platforms, Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics, [online], https://tsapps.nist.gov/publication/get_pdf.cfm?pub_id=909879 (Accessed May 1, 2025)