Efficient general procedure to access a diversity of gold(0) particles and gold(I) phosphine complexes from a simple HAuCl4 source. Localization of homogeneous/heterogeneous system's interface and field-emission scanning electron microscopy study

J Am Chem Soc. 2013 Mar 6;135(9):3550-9. doi: 10.1021/ja311258e. Epub 2013 Jan 15.

Abstract

Soluble gold precatalysts, aimed for homogeneous catalysis, under certain conditions may form nanoparticles, which dramatically change the mechanism and initiate different chemistry. The present study addresses the question of designing gold catalysts, taking into account possible interconversions and contamination at the homogeneous/heterogeneous system's interface. It was revealed that accurate localization of boundary experimental conditions for formation of molecular gold complexes in solution versus nucleation and growth of gold particles opens new opportunities for well-known gold chemistry. Within the developed concept, a series of practical procedures was created for efficient synthesis of soluble gold complexes with various phosphine ligands (R3P)AuCl (90-99% yield) and for preparation of different types of gold materials. The effect of the ligand on the particles growth in solution has been observed and characterized with high-resolution field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) study. Two unique types of nanostructured gold materials were prepared: hierarchical agglomerates and gold mirror composed of ultrafine smoothly shaped particles.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Chlorides / chemistry*
  • Gold / chemistry*
  • Gold Compounds / chemistry*
  • Microscopy, Electron, Scanning
  • Molecular Structure
  • Particle Size
  • Phosphines / chemistry*
  • Surface Properties

Substances

  • Chlorides
  • Gold Compounds
  • Phosphines
  • Gold
  • gold tetrachloride, acid