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Updated: Jul 5, 2026
09:11
Synthesis of Near-Infrared Emitting Gold Nanoclusters for Biological Applications
Published on: March 22, 2020
Grignard functionalization of Weinreb amide-modified Au nanoparticles
Christopher J Thode1, Mary Elizabeth Williams
1Department of Chemistry, 104 Chemistry Building, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, USA.
Langmuir : the ACS Journal of Surfaces and Colloids
|May 17, 2008
Summary
Organometallic reagents react with gold nanoparticles functionalized with specific ligands, enabling new nanomaterial chemistry. This breakthrough offers high yields and particle stability without harsh conditions.
Area of Science:
- Nanomaterials Chemistry
- Organic Synthesis
- Surface Science
Background:
- Grignard and organolithium reagents are fundamental in organic synthesis.
- Their application in functionalizing monolayer-protected metallic nanoparticles remains unexplored.
- Gold nanoparticles with mixed alkanethiol ligands present unique surface properties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the unprecedented reaction of organometallic reagents with functionalized gold nanoparticles.
- To explore the chemical functionalization of metallic nanoparticles using established organic reactions.
- To demonstrate a novel pathway for nanomaterial modification.
Main Methods:
- Utilized gold nanoparticles with a mixed monolayer of methyl- and N-methoxy-N-methyl amide-terminated alkanethiol ligands.
- Reacted these functionalized nanoparticles with various organometallic reagents.
- Assessed reaction yields and nanoparticle stability (mass % Au recovered).
Main Results:
- The N-methoxy-N-methyl amide-terminated ligands reacted rapidly with organometallic reagents.
- Achieved high to near-quantitative yields in a few hours under mild conditions (no high pressure, temperature, or catalysts).
- Demonstrated the feasibility across a range of organometallic reagents, confirming particle stability.
Conclusions:
- Successfully established a new method for the chemical functionalization of gold nanoparticles using organometallic reagents.
- This facile reaction opens avenues for underutilized synthetic strategies in nanomaterials science.
- The approach offers a versatile platform for creating novel functionalized nanomaterials.
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