Total Structure Determination of Thiolate-Protected Au38 Nanoparticles

Unexpected reactivity of Au25(SCH2CH2Ph)18 nanoclusters with salts

We report some interesting results of the chemical reactivity of thiolate-protected [Au(25)(SCH(2)CH(2)Ph)(18)](0) nanoclusters with two types of salts, including tetraoctylammonium halide (TOAX) and NaX. At the early stage of the reaction, [Au(25)(SCH(2)CH(2)Ph)(18)](0) was found to spontaneously convert to its anionic form ([Au(25)(SCH(2)CH(2)Ph)(18)](-)) in the presence of either type of salt. However, a large difference was observed in the second stage of the reaction. With NaX, we observed decomposition of anionic clusters, while with TOAX, the clusters show excellent stability. We have gained some insight into the reaction mechanism. The X(-) ions seem to attack [Au(25)(SCH(2)CH(2)Ph)(18)](q) surface and displace some thiolates, evidenced by the observation of halide-bound clusters such as Au(25)(SCH(2)CH(2)Ph)(18-x)Br(x) in mass spectrometry analysis. These halide-bound clusters show a reduced stability, and their decomposition into Au(I) complexes leads to the release of gold valence electrons of the clusters; concurrently, the non-halide-bound [Au(25)(SCH(2)CH(2)Ph)(18)](0) clusters are reduced into [Au(25)(SCH(2)CH(2)Ph)(18)](-). For the second stage of reaction with organic salts such as TOA-Br, after [Au(25)(SCH(2)CH(2)Ph)(18)](0) clusters are converted to [Au(25)(SCH(2)CH(2)Ph)(18)](-)) the TOA(+) counterions surprisingly protect the anionic clusters from further attack by halide ions, hence, TOA(+) cations can stabilize [Au(25)(SCH(2)CH(2)Ph)(18)](-) clusters. In contrast, with NaX salts the Na(+) ions do not provide any steric stabilization of the [Au(25)(SCH(2)CH(2)Ph)(18)](-) clusters, hence, degradation occurs when being further attacked by halide ions, especially Br(-) and I(-).

Hollow polyhedral structures in small gold-sulfide clusters

Using ab initio methods, we investigate the structural evolution of a family of gold-sulfide cluster anions (Au(m)S(n)(-)). We show that this family of clusters exhibits simple size-evolution rules and novel hollow polyhedron structures. The highly stable Au(m)S(n)(-) species such as Au(6)S(4)(-), Au(9)S(5)(-), Au(9)S(6)(-), Au(10)S(6)(-), Au(11)S(6)(-), Au(12)S(8)(-), and Au(13)S(8)(-) detected in the recent ion mobility mass spectrometry experiment of Au(25)(SCH(2)CH(2)Ph)(18) (Angel et al. ACS Nano2010, 4, 4691) are found to possess either quasi-tetrahedron, pyramidal, quasi-triangular prism, or quasi-cuboctahedron structures. The formation of these polyhedron structures are attributed to the high stability of the S-Au-S structural unit. A unique "edge-to-face" growth mechanism is proposed to understand the structural evolution of the small Au(m)S(n)(-) cluster. A 3:2 ratio rule of Au/S is suggested for the formation of a hollow polyhedron structure among small-sized Au(m)S(n) clusters.

Electronic Structure of Ligand-Passivated Gold and Silver Nanoclusters

Gold and silver nanoclusters have unique molecule-like electronic structure and a nonzero HOMO-LUMO gap. Recent advances in X-ray crystal structure determination have led to a new understanding of the geometric structure of gold nanoparticles, with significant implications for electronic structure. The superatom model has been effectively employed to explain properties such as one- and two-photon optical absorption, circular dichroism, EPR spectra, and electronic effects introduced by nanoparticle doping. Future investigations may also lead to an understanding of nanoparticle luminescence, excited-state dynamics, and the metallic to molecular transition.

Wavelength Dependence of the Fluorescence Quenching Efficiency of Nearby Dyes by Gold Nanoclusters and Nanoparticles: The Roles of Spectral Overlap and Particle Size

The efficiency of the glutathione monolayer-protected gold nanocluster (NC) Au(25) (1.2 nm metal core diameter (d)) in quenching the emission of dyes intercalated into DNA is compared to that of 2 and 4 nm gold nanoparticles (NPs). In all cases, the DNA/dye moieties and the gold particles are not covalently attached but rather form non-covalent ground state complexes. Under these conditions, steady-state measurements reveal that the quenching efficiency of Au(25) is a factor of 10 lower than that of plasmonic 4 nm gold NPs but comparable to that of 2 nm particles which do not show a distinct plasmon band. Nonetheless, significant emission quenching is observed even at very low (nM) concentrations of Au(25). The quenching efficiency of the 4 nm NPs is significantly higher for dyes emitting near the wavelength of the plasmon peak whereas that of the 2 nm gold NPs is well described by the nano-surface energy transfer (NSET) model proposed by the Strouse group (J. Am. Chem. Soc. 127, 3115 2005). Interestingly, for Au(25) the maximum quenching efficiency occurs for dyes emitting in the same wavelength range as that of the 2 and 4 nm NPs (490-560 nm), where it shows no discrete absorption features, rather than for wavelengths coincident with its HOMO-LUMO, intra-band or inter-band transitions. The fluorescence quenching properties of Au(25) NCs are therefore found to be distinct from those of larger NCs and NPs but do not appear to conform to theoretical predictions advanced thus far.

Ligand exchange reactions on Au(38) and Au(40) clusters: a combined circular dichroism and mass spectrometry study

The thiolate-for-thiolate ligand exchange reaction between the stable Au(38)(2-PET)(24) and Au(40)(2-PET)(24) (2-PET: 2-phenylethanethiol) clusters and enantiopure BINAS (BINAS: 1,1'-binaphthyl-2,2'-dithiol) was investigated by circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy in the UV/vis and MALDI mass spectrometry (MS). The ligand exchange reaction is incomplete, although a strong optical activity is induced to the resulting clusters. The clusters are found to be relatively stable, in contrast to similar reactions on [Au(25)(2-PET)(18)](-) clusters. Maximum anisotropy factors of 6.6 × 10(-4) are found after 150 h of reaction time. During the reaction, a varying ratio between Au(38) and Au(40) clusters is found, which significantly differs from the starting material. As compared to Au(38), Au(40) is more favorable to incorporate BINAS into its ligand shell. After 150 h of reaction time, an average of 1.5 and 4.5 BINAS ligands is found for Au(38) and Au(40) clusters, respectively. This corresponds to exchange of 3 and 9 monodentate 2-PET ligands. To show that the limited exchange with BINAS is due to the bidentate nature of the ligand, exchange with thiophenol was performed. The monodentate thiophenol exchange was found to be faster, and more ligands were exchanged when compared to BINAS.

The story of a monodisperse gold nanoparticle: Au25L18

Au nanoparticles (NPs) with protecting organothiolate ligands and core diameters smaller than 2 nm are interesting materials because their size-dependent properties range from metal-like to molecule-like. This Account focuses on the most thoroughly investigated of these NPs, Au(25)L(18). Future advances in nanocluster catalysis and electronic miniaturization and biological applications such as drug delivery will depend on a thorough understanding of nanoscale materials in which molecule-like characteristics appear. This Account tells the story of Au(25)L(18) and its associated synthetic, structural, mass spectrometric, electron transfer, optical spectroscopy, and magnetic resonance results. We also reference other Au NP studies to introduce helpful synthetic and measurement tools. Historically, nanoparticle sizes have been described by their diameters. Recently, researchers have reported actual molecular formulas for very small NPs, which is chemically preferable to solely reporting their size. Au(25)L(18) is a success story in this regard; however, researchers initially mislabeled this NP as Au(28)L(16) and as Au(38)L(24) before correctly identifying it by electrospray-ionization mass spectrometry. Because of its small size, this NP is amenable to theoretical investigations. In addition, Au(25)L(18)'s accessibility in pure form and molecule-like properties make it an attractive research target. The properties of this NP include a large energy gap readily seen in cyclic voltammetry (related to its HOMO-LUMO gap), a UV-vis absorbance spectrum with step-like fine structure, and NIR fluorescence emission. A single crystal structure and theoretical analysis have served as important steps in understanding the chemistry of Au(25)L(18). Researchers have determined the single crystal structure of both its "native" as-prepared form, a [N((CH(2))(7)CH(3))(4)(1+)][Au(25)(SCH(2)CH(2)Ph)(18)(1-)] salt, and of the neutral, oxidized form Au(25)(SCH(2)CH(2)Ph)(18)(0). A density functional theory (DFT) analysis correctly predicted essential elements of the structure. The NP is composed of a centered icosahedral Au(13) core stabilized by six Au(2)(SR)(3) semirings. These semirings present interesting implications regarding other small Au nanoparticle clusters. Many properties of the Au(25) NP result from these semiring structures. This overview of the identification, structure determination, and analytical properties of perhaps the best understood Au nanoparticle provides results that should be useful for further analyses and applications. We also hope that the story of this nanoparticle will be useful to those who teach about nanoparticle science.

Ion mobility mass spectrometry of Au25(SCH2CH2Ph)18 nanoclusters

Ion mobility mass spectrometry (IM-MS) can separate ions based on their size, shape, and charge as well as mass-to-charge ratios. Here, we report experimental IM-MS and IM-MS/MS data of the Au(25)(SCH(2)CH(2)Ph)(18)(-) nanocluster. The IM-MS of Au(25)(SCH(2)CH(2)Ph)(18)(-) exhibits a narrow, symmetric drift time distribution that indicates the presence of only one structure. The IM-MS/MS readily distinguishes between the fragmentation of the outer protecting layer, made from six [-SR-Au-SR-Au-SR-] "staples' where R = CH(2)CH(2)Ph, and the Au(13) core. The fragmentation of the staples is characterized by the predominant loss of Au(4)(SR)(4) from the cluster and the formation of eight distinct bands. The consecutive eight bands contain an increasing variety of Au(l)S(m)R(n)(-) product ions due to the incremental fragmentation of the outer layer of Au(21)X(14)(-), where X = S or SCH(2)CH(2)Ph. The mobility of species in each individual band shows that the lower mass species exhibit greater collision cross sections, facilitating the identification of the Au(l)S(m)R(n)(-) products. Below the bands, in the region 1200-2800 m/z, product ions relating to the fragmentation of the Au(13) core can be observed. In the low mass 50-1200 m/z region, fragment ions such as Au(SR)(2)(-), Au(2)(SR)(3)(-), Au(3)(SR)(4)(-), and Au(4)(SR)(5)(-) are also observed, corresponding to the large fragments Au(25-x)(SR)(18-(x+1)). The study shows that most of the dominant large fragments are of the general type Au(21)X(14)(-/+), and Au(17)X(10)(-/+) with electron counts of 8 and 6 in negative and positive mode, respectively. This suggests that geometric factors may outweigh electronic factors in the selection of Au(25)(SR)(18) structure.