Thiol based surfaces are widely used to stabilize gold nanoparticles. Although the gold thiol bond is strong it is not completely inert to substitution in a complex biological matrix.  <br/>In contrast, the strong binding affinity between gold and N-heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs) makes NHCs an increasingly investigated alternative to thiols. However, the synthesis of non-symmetric NHCs remains a challenge, limiting the versatility of these compounds. We therefore turned our focus to N-acyclic carbenes (NACs), as their high synthetic flexibility allows fine-tuning of their steric and electronic properties towards precise applications. <br/>A variety of NAC gold complexes were synthesized followed by reduction affording a set of monodispersed NAC-stabilized gold nanoparticles. The formation of NACAuNPs was investigated by 13C-NMR spectroscopy through a characteristic low-field shift of the carbene carbon. Further, their plasmon resonance bands and chemical stability were investigated by UV-Vis spectroscopy and TEM characterization showed particles with a size range between 3.8 to 11.6 nm respectively <br/>These NAC-stabilized gold nanoparticles present an encouraging and flexible alternative to NHC counterparts.

N-acyclic carbene functionalized gold nanoparticles

ACS Spring Meeting 2021

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