The implementation of colloidal semiconductor nanocrystals, or quantum dots (QDs), relies heavily on synthetic methodologies that give well-defined morphology and surface chemistry. Herein, we present a new toolset of organic ligands, N-heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs), as a unique molecular platform for the preparation of metal chalcogenide QDs. Phase-pure, highly monodisperse metal chalcogenide (Ag2E, Cu2-xE; E = S, Se) QDs are readily synthesized from the reaction of NHC-MBr (M = Ag, Cu) and alkylsilyl chalcogenides at room temperature. We further investigate the morphological dependence of the nanocrystals with respect to both the electronic and steric properties of the NHC ligands, which are confirmed to be the only capping ligands on the nanocrystal surface, giving them excellent colloidal stability. This facile route to metal chalcogenide QDs opens the door to semiconductor nanocrystal synthesis from the vast library of organometallic NHC complexes.

Room-temperature synthesis of metal chalcogenide nanocrystals from N-heterocyclic carbene synthons

253rd National Meeting (2017)

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