Electronic structure of dinuclear gold(i) complexes

Cyclic voltammetry (CV) experiments on LL(AuSR *)(2) complexes [LL = diphenylphosphinomethane (dppm), diphenylphosphinopentane (dpppn); R(*) = p-SC(6)H(4)CH(3)] show anodic sweeps that broaden by about 25 mV on going from the longer (dpppn) to the shorter (dppm) bidentate phosphine ligand. Changing concentrations had no effect on the shape of the waveform. The result suggests a weak intramolecular metal-metal interaction in dppm(AuSR *)(2) that correlates well with rate acceleration occurring in the reaction of dppm(AuSR *)(2) with organic disulfides. Quantum yields for cis-dppee(AuX)(2) [dppee = 1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)ethylene; X = Cl, Br, I] complexes, (disappearance) Phi , are significantly higher in complexes with a softer X ligand, a trend that correlates well with aurophilicity. This result also suggests that electronic perturbation caused by Au(I)-Au(I) interactions is important in explaining the reactivity of some dinuclear gold(I) complexes. The crystal structure for cis-dppee(Aul)(2) shows short intramolecular Au(I)-Au(I) interactions of 2.9526 (6) A degrees , while the structure of trans-dppee(AuI)(2) , shows intermolecular Au(I)-Au(I) interactions of 3.2292 (9) A degrees . The substitution of .As for P results in a ligand, cis-diphenylarsinoethylene (cis-dpaee), that is photochemically active, in contrast to the cis-dppee ligand. The complexes, cis-dpaee(AuX)(2), are also photochemically active but with lower quantum yields than the cis-dppee(AuX)(2) complexes.     

Cyclic voltammetry of auranofin

The oxidative behavior of Auranofin, 2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-1-thio-beta-D-glucopyranosato- S(triethylphosphine)gold(I), was investigated by using cyclic voltammetry (CV) in 0.1 M Bu(4)NPF(6)/CH(2)Cl(2) and 0.1 M Bu(4)NPF(4)/CH(2)Cl(2) solutions using Pt working and auxiliary electrodes and a Ag/AgCI reference. CV studies at scan rates from 50-2,000 mV/s and Auranofin concentrations between 1 and 4 mM, show two irreversible oxidation processes occurring at +1.1 V and +1.6 V vs. Ag/AgCl. Ph(3) (p-thiocresolate) was also investigated as a reference for comparison of the oxidation processes in Auranofin to that of other phosphine gold thiolate complexes previously reported. The electrochemical response appears to be sensitive to adsorption at the electrode as well as to the nature of the supporting electrolyte solution. Repeated cycling shows a build up of products at the electrode.     

Facile synthesis and optical properties of magic-number Au13 clusters

Synthesis of molecular gold clusters through a post-synthetic scheme involving HCl-promoted nuclearity convergence was examined with various phosphine ligands. Systematic studies with a series of bis(diphenylphosphino) ligands (Ph(2)P-(CH(2))(m)-PPh(2)) using electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) and electronic absorption spectroscopy demonstrated that the use of dppp (m = 3), dppb (m = 4) and dpppe (m = 5) as the ligands resulted in the formation of [Au(13)P(8)Cl(4)](+) type clusters, whereas the [Au(13)P(10)Cl(2)](3+) type cluster was formed with dppe (m = 2). The cluster species did not survive the HCl treatment step when monophosphines PPh(3), PMe(2)Ph, and POct(3) were employed, but [Au(13)(POct(3))(8)Cl(4)](+) was isolated as a minor product in the NaBH(4) reduction of Au(POct(3))Cl in aqueous THF. Electronic absorption and photoluminescence studies of a series of Au(13) clusters revealed that their optical properties are highly dependent on the phosphine/chloride composition ratio, but are far less so on the phosphine structure.     

Antitumor activity of gold(i), silver(i) and copper(i) complexes containing chiral tertiary phosphines

The in vitro cytotoxicities of a number of gold(I), silver(I) and copper(I) complexes containing chiral tertiary phosphine ligands have been examined against the mouse tumour cell lines P815 mastocytoma, B16 melanoma [gold(I) and silver(I) compounds] and P388 leukaemia [gold(I) complexes only] with many of the complexes having IC(50) values comparable to that of the reference compounds cis-diamminedichloroplatinum(ll), cisplatin, and bis[1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino) ethane]gold(I) iodide. The chiral tertiary phosphine ligands used in this study include (R)-(2-aminophenyl)methylphenylphosphine; (R,R)-, (S,S)- and (R(*),R(*))-1,2-phenylenebis(methylphenylphosphine); and (R,R)-, (S,S)- and (R(*),R(*))-bis{(2-diphenylphosphinoethyl)phenylphosphino}ethane. The in vitro cytotoxicities of gold(I) and silver(I) complexes containing the optically active forms of the tetra(tertiary phosphine) have also been examined against the human ovarian carcinoma cell lines 41M and CH1, and the cisplatin resistant 41McisR, CH1cisR and SKOV-3 tumour models. IC(50) values in the range 0.01 - 0.04 muM were determined for the most active compounds, silver(I) complexes of the tetra(tertiary phosphine). Furthermore, the chirality of the ligand appeared to have little effect on the overall activity of the complexes: similar IC(50) data were obtained for complexes of a particular metal ion with each of the stereoisomeric forms of a specific ligand.     

Redox Chemistry and [Au(CN)(2)] in the Formation of Gold Metabolites

The role of hypochlorite ion, which can be generated by the enzyme myleoperoxidase, in the biochemistry of gold(I) anti-arthritic drugs was investigated. Sodium hypochlorite (OCl(-)) directly and rapidly oxidizes AuSTm, Au(CN)(2) (-), AuSTg (gold thioglucose) and auranofin (Et(3)PAuSATg). The resulting gold(III) species were detected by an Ion Chromotography Ion-Pairing technique that was developed to distinguish gold(I) and gold(III). Formation of Au(III) was also demonstrated spectrophotometrically after the conversion to AuCl(4) (-). The reactions of AuSTm, AuSTg, and auranofin are complex and gold(III) appears only after the initial oxidation of the thiolate (and phosphine) ligands.The enzymatic reaction, using MPO with H(2)O(2) and Cl(-) as substrates, leads to slow oxidation of Au(CN)(2) (-), AuSTm or AuSTg. The extent and rate of reaction depend on the concentrations of MPO, H(2)O(2), and Au(I). The continued presence of Au(I) during the initial stages of reaction (oxidation of the thiolates in AuSTm and AuSTg) and the conversion to Au(III) in the latter stages of the reaction were demonstrated. Au(CN)(2) (-), a gold metabolite, binds tightly to serum albumin. Unlike other gold(I) complexes, aurocyanide reacts almost negligibly at Cys-34 via ligand exchange. Instead, there is a strong association (K(1) = 5.5 x 10(4) and K(2) = 7.0 x 10(3); n(1) = 0.8 and n(2) = 3) of intact Au(CN)(2) (-). The full extent of binding is revealed only by equilibrium methods such as NMR or ultrafiltration; the bound gold dissociates extensively on conventional gel-exclusion columns and partially on Penefesky spun columns.The immunological and pharmacological significance of these results are discussed.     

Electronic and steric effects in gold(i) phosphine thiolate complexes

The unusual yellow color of Au(2)(dppm)(SR)(2) (R = 4-tolyl; dppm = diphenylphosphinomethane) is attributed to a red-shift in the S-->Au charge transfer caused by destabilization of the sulfur highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO). Variable temperature experiments show two broad bands at -80 degrees C in the (31)P{(1)H} NMR spectrum of Au(2)(dppm)(SR)(2) and the activation energy for interconversion is 10 kcal/mol. Only one sharp band is observed down to -80 degrees C in the spectrum of the white complex, Au(2)(dppe)(SR)(2) (dppe = diphenylphosphinoethane). Molecular mechanics calculations on Au(2)(dppm)(SR)(2) and Au(2)(dppe)(SR)(2) reveal that, for Au(2)(dppe)(SR)(2), a series of maxima and minima, separated by 2.5 kcal/mol, occur every 120 degrees which is consistent with rotation around an unhindered carbon-phosphorus single bond. The Au atoms are not within bonding distance in any conformation. Computational results for Au(2)(dppm)(SR)(2) indicate one minimum energy structure in which the Au-P bonds are anti. There is a high energy conformation (9 kcal/mol above the global minimum) where overlap between golds is maximized. The implications of gold-gold bonding in this complex are discussed. The steric influence of the thiolate ligand has been examined by synthesizing a series of dinuclear gold(I) complexes in which the steric properties of the thiolate are varied: Au(2)(dppm)(SR)(2) (R = 2,6-dichlorophenyl; 2,6-dimethylphenyl; 3,5-dimethylphenyl). The 2,6-disubstituted complexes are white, while the 3,5-dimethyl complex is yellow. These results, along with VT-NMR experiments, are consistent with the conclusion that the more sterically-bulky thiolates hinder the close approach of the golds in the dinuclear complexes.     

Different coordination modes of a tripod phosphine in gold(i) and silver(i) complexes

The following gold(I) and silver(I) complexes of the tritertiary phosphine 1,1,1- tris(diphenylphosphinomethyl)ethane, tripod , have been synthesised: Au(3)(tripod)X(3) [X = Cl(1), Br(2), I(3)]; [Au(3)(tripod)(2)Cl(2)]Cl (4); Au(tripod)X [X = Br(5), I(6)]; Ag(3)(tripod) (NO(3))(4) (7), Ag(tripod)NO(3) (8). They were characterized by X-ray diffraction (complexes 2, 3 and 4), (31)P NMR spectroscopy, electrospray and FAB mass spectrometry and infrared spectroscopy. Complexes 2 and 3 show a linear coordination geometry for Au(I), with relatively short Au-P bond distances. Complex 3 has a Au***Au intramolecular distance of 3.326 A degrees , while complex 2 had a short Au***Au intermolecular interaction of 3.048 A degrees . Complexes 4-6 were found by (31)P NMR spectroscopy studies to contain a mixture of species in solution, one of which crystallised as [Au(3)(tripod|)(2)Cl(2)]Cl which was shown by X-ray diffraction to contain both tetrahedral and linear Au(I), the first example of a Au(I) complex containing such a mixture of geometries. The reaction of [Au(3) (tripod)Cl(3)] (1) with tripod led successfully to the formation of [Au(3)(tripod|)(2)Cl(2)](+) and [Au(3)(tripod)(2)Cl(3)](+) and [Au(3)(tripod|)(3)Cl](2+). The silver(I) complexes, 7 and 8 appear to contain linear and tetrahedral Ag(I), respectively.     

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(-).     

Ligand effects on the stability of thiol-stabilized gold nanoclusters: Au25(SR)18(-), Au38(SR)24, and Au102(SR)44

We have studied the electrochemical and thermodynamic stability of Au(25)(SR)(18)(-), Au(38)(SR)(24), and Au(102)(SR)(44), R = CH(3), C(6)H(13), CH(2)CH(2)Ph, Ph, PhF, and PhCOOH, in order to examine ligand effects on the stability of thiol-stabilized gold nanoclusters, Au(m)(SR)(n). Aliphatic thiols, in general, have higher electrochemical and thermodynamic stability than aromatic thiols, and the -SCH(2)CH(2)Ph thiol is particularly appealing because of its high electrochemical and thermodynamic stability. The stabilization of Au(m) by nSR for Au(m)(SR)(n) can be rationalized by the stabilization of an Au atom by an SR for the simple molecule AuSR, regardless of interligand interaction and system size and shape. Thiol moieties play a strong role in the electron oxidation and reduction of Au(m)(SR)(n). Accounting for the characteristics of thiol ligands is essential for understanding the electronic and thermodynamic stability of thiol-stabilized gold nanoclusters.     

The Beauty and Complexity of the Mixed-Ligand Pd(II)-containing Monomers,Oligomers and Polymers Built upon Diphosphines and 1,8-Diisocyano-<Emphasis Type="Italic">p</Emphasis>-menthane

The starting materials Pd(diphos)Cl₂ where diphos = bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane (dppe), bis(diphenylphosphino)propane (dppp), bis(diphenylphosphino)butane (dppb), and Pd₂(diphos′)₂Cl₄ where diphos′ = bis(diphenylphosphino)pentane (dpppen) and bis(diphenylphosphino)hexane (dpph) were reacted with the bridging ligand 1,8-diisocyano-p-menthane (dmb) to form species of the type {Pd₂(diphos)₂(dmb) ₂ ⁴⁺ } _n and {Pd(diphos′)₂(dmb) ₂ ⁴⁺ } _n . Except for Pd₂(dppe)₂(dmb) ₂ ⁴⁺ , which was characterized by X-ray crystallography, the identity of the other weakly soluble dmb-containing materials were exhaustively characterized in solution and in the solid state by ³¹P NMR (Magic Angle Spinning), chemical analyses, MALDI-TOF, DSC, TGA, IR and T ₁/NOE (³¹P NMR spin-lattice relaxation time and nuclear overhauser enhancement constant measurements). Model compounds such as Pd(diphos)(CN-tBu) ₂ ²⁺ (diphos = dppe, dppp, dppb) and Pd₂(diphos′)₂(CN-tBu) ₄ ⁴⁺ (diphos′ = dpppen, dpph; as BF ₄ ⁻ or PF ₆ ⁻ salts), were prepared and also characterized by X-ray crystallography. Evidence for mono- (model complexes only of the type dppe, dppp, and dppb) and dinuclear complexes, as well as oligomers and polymers, are obtained for most cases, as well as the presence of monomer–oligomer (or polymer) equilibrium. During the course of this study, the complexes [Pd(dppp)(CN-tBu)₂](TCNQ)(Cl), [Pd₂(dpppen)₂(CN-tBu)₂(Cl)₂](PF₆)₂, and [Pd₂(dpppen)₂(CN-tBu)₂(CN)₂](TCNQ)₂ (TCNQ⁻ = tetraquinodimethane anion) were isolated and characterized by X-ray crystallography.This paper is dedicated to Professor Richard J. Puddephatt.     

Ligand-exchange synthesis of selenophenolate-capped Au25 nanoclusters

We report the synthesis and characterization of selenophenolate-capped 25-gold-atom nanoclusters via a ligand-exchange approach. In this method, phenylethanethiolate (PhCH(2)CH(2)S) capped Au(25) nanoclusters are utilized as the starting material, which is subject to ligand-exchange with selenophenol (PhSeH). The as-obtained cluster product is confirmed to be selenophenolate-protected Au(25) nanoclusters through characterization by electrospray ionization (ESI) and matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), elemental analysis (EA), UV-Vis and (1)H/(13)C NMR spectroscopies. The ligand-exchange synthesis of [Au(25)(SePh)(18)](-)[(C(8)H(17))(4)N](+) nanoclusters demonstrates that the core size of gold nanoclusters is retained in the thiolate-to-selenolate exchange process and that the 18 surface thiolate ligands can be completely exchanged by selenophenolate, rather than giving rise to a mixed ligand shell on the cluster. The two types of Au(25)L(18) (L = thiolate or selenolate) nanoclusters also show some differences in stability and optical properties.     

Bidentate amino- and iminophosphine ligands in mono- and dinuclear gold(I) complexes: Synthesis,structures and AuCl displacement by AuC6F5

Bidentate imino- and aminophosphine ligands were prepared by firstly a Schiff-base condensation reaction between 2-(diphenylphosphino)benzaldehyde and the corresponding primary amines to afford the imino derivatives and secondly reduction of the imines with NaBH₄ to the aminophosphine ligands in satisfactory yields. The ligands readily reacted with chlorogold(I) compounds to produce new mononuclear iminophosphine- and dinuclear aminophosphine chlorogold(I) complexes. Further, reaction of the dinuclear chlorogold complex with C₆F₅Au(tht) (tht = tetrahydrothiophene) led to the displacement of one AuCl moiety by AuC₆F₅ forming a digold(I) mixed halogen/organometallic complex. Both digold(I) complexes displayed intramolecular Au⋯Au interactions, whilst the di(chlorogold) complex also showed an intermolecular Au⋯ Au interaction, as determined by X-ray crystallography. The displacement of only one of the two AuCl groups presumably relates to the strength of the Au–P bond (inert) vs. the weakness of the Au–N bond (labile), the latter being more easily broken.     

Au25(SG)18 as a fluorescent iodide sensor

The recently emerging gold nanoclusters (GNC) are of major importance for both basic science studies and practical applications. Based on its surface-induced fluorescence properties, we investigated the potential use of Au(25)(SG)(18) (GSH: glutathione) as a fluorescent iodide sensor. The current detection limit of 400 nM, which can possibly be further enhanced by optimizing the conditions, and excellent selectivity among 12 types of anion (F(-), Cl(-), Br(-), I(-), NO(3)(-), ClO(4)(-), HCO(3)(-), IO(3)(-), SO(4)(2-), SO(3)(2-), CH(3)COO(-) and C(6)H(5)O(7)(3-)) make Au(25)(SG)(18) a good candidate for iodide sensing. Furthermore, our work has revealed the particular sensing mechanism, which was found to be affinity-induced ratiometric and enhanced fluorescence (abbreviated to AIREF), which has rarely been reported previously and may provide an alternative strategy for devising nanoparticle-based sensors.     

The halogen analogs of thiolated gold nanoclusters

Is it possible to replace all the thiolates in a thiolated gold nanocluster with halogens while still maintaining the geometry and the electronic structure? In this work, we show from density functional theory that such halogen analogs of thiolated gold nanoclusters are highly likely. Using Au(25)X(18)(-) as an example, where X = F, Cl, Br, or I replaces -SR, we find that Au(25)Cl(18)(-) demonstrates a high similarity to Au(25)(SR)(18)(-) by showing Au-Cl distances, Cl-Au-Cl angles, band gap, and frontier orbitals similar to those in Au(25)(SR)(18)(-). DFT-based global minimization also indicates the energetic preference of staple formation for the Au(25)Cl(18)(-) cluster. The similarity between Au(m)(SR)(n) and Au(m)X(n) could be exploited to make viable Au(m)X(n) clusters and to predict structures for Au(m)(SR)(n).     

Investigating the structural evolution of thiolate protected gold clusters from first-principles

Unlike bulk materials, the physicochemical properties of nano-sized metal clusters can be strongly dependent on their atomic structure and size. Over the past two decades, major progress has been made in both the synthesis and characterization of a special class of ligated metal nanoclusters, namely, the thiolate-protected gold clusters with size less than 2 nm. Nevertheless, the determination of the precise atomic structure of thiolate-protected gold clusters is still a grand challenge to both experimentalists and theorists. The lack of atomic structures for many thiolate-protected gold clusters has hampered our in-depth understanding of their physicochemical properties and size-dependent structural evolution. Recent breakthroughs in the determination of the atomic structure of two clusters, [Au(25)(SCH(2)CH(2)Ph)(18)](q) (q = -1, 0) and Au(102)(p-MBA)(44), from X-ray crystallography have uncovered many new characteristics regarding the gold-sulfur bonding as well as the atomic packing structure in gold thiolate nanoclusters. Knowledge obtained from the atomic structures of both thiolate-protected gold clusters allows researchers to examine a more general "inherent structure rule" underlying this special class of ligated gold nanoclusters. That is, a highly stable thiolate-protected gold cluster can be viewed as a combination of a highly symmetric Au core and several protecting gold-thiolate "staple motifs", as illustrated by a general structural formula [Au](a+a')[Au(SR)(2)](b)[Au(2)(SR)(3)](c)[Au(3)(SR)(4)](d)[Au(4)(SR)(5)](e) where a, a', b, c, d and e are integers that satisfy certain constraints. In this review article, we highlight recent progress in the theoretical exploration and prediction of the atomic structures of various thiolate-protected gold clusters based on the "divide-and-protect" concept in general and the "inherent structure rule" in particular. As two demonstration examples, we show that the theoretically predicted lowest-energy structures of Au(25)(SR)(8)(-) and Au(38)(SR)(24) (-R is the alkylthiolate group) have been fully confirmed by later experiments, lending credence to the "inherent structure rule".     

Antibacterial and Antifungal Activity of Zinc(II) Carboxylates With/Without N-Donor Organic Ligands

The antibacterial and antifungal activity of zinc(II) carboxylates with composition Zn(RCOO)(2)*nH(2)O(R =H-, CH(3) (-), CH(3)CH(2)CH(2) (-), (CH(3))(2)CH-, XCH(2) (-), X=Cl, Br, I, n=0 or 2), [ZnX(2)(Nia(+)CH(2)COO(-))(2)](Nia=nicotinamide, X=Cl, Br, I) and [Zn(XCH(2)COO)(2)(Caf)(2)]*2H(2)O (Car=caffeine, X=Cl, Br) is studied against bacterial strains Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and yeast Candida albicans. The structural types are assigned to the prepared compounds and the influence of (i) carboxylate chain length, (ii) substitution of hydrogen atom of carboxylate by halogen and (iii) presence of N-donor organic ligands on the biological activity is discussed.     

Supported gold catalysis derived from the interaction of a Au–phosphine complex with as-precipitated titanium hydroxide and titanium oxide

Supported gold catalysts derived from interaction of a Au–phosphine complex Au(PPh₃)(NO₃) (1) with conventional titanium oxide TiO₂ and as-precipitated titanium hydroxide (*, as-precipitated) have been characterized by means of XRD, XPS, EXAFS, and CP/MAS–NMR. The Au complex 1 was supported on TiO₂ and without loss of Au–P bonding at room temperature. The Au complex 1 on TiO₂ was readily and completely decomposed to form metallic gold particles by calcination at 473 K, whereas only a small part of the complex 1 on was transformed to metallic gold particles. By calcination of 1/ at 573 K the formation of both metallic gold particles and crystalline titanium oxides became notable as evidenced by XRD, XPS and CP/MAS–NMR. The mean diameter of Au particles in 1/ calcined at 673 K was less than 30 Å as estimated from Au(2 0 0) diffraction, which was about one-tenth of that for the corresponding 1/TiO₂. Thus the as-precipitated titanium hydroxide was able to stabilize the Au complex 1 to lead to the simultaneous decomposition of Au complex and . The catalyst 1/ calcined at 673 K afforded remarkably high catalytic activity for low-temperature CO oxidation at 273–373 K as compared to the catalyst 1/TiO₂.     

A novel organometallic ReI complex with favourable properties for bioimaging and applicability in solid-phase peptide synthesis

Organometallic complexes possess great potential for imaging applications in biology, due to their kinetic stability and often favourable intrinsic properties. In this work we present a new class of Re(I) -tricarbonyl complexes with a substituted bis(phenanthridinylmethyl)amine (bpm) ligand. The complex Re(CO)(3) (R-bpm) could be conveniently prepared by microwave synthesis from [Re(CO)(3)(H(2)O)(3) ]Br and a suitably substituted bis(phenanthridinylmethyl)amine (R-bpm). Complex 5, with R=CH(2)-CO(2)-CH(3) , was characterized by a single-crystal X-ray structure. Complex 6 (R=CH(2)-C(6)H(4)-CO(2)H) was used in solid-phase peptide synthesis (SPPS) to label the neurotensin(8-13) (NT) fragment N-terminally. The complexes show luminescence emission with large Stokes shifts (λ(ex) =350 nm, λ(em) =570 nm). Cellular uptake and intracellular localization studies in several cell lines demonstrate the utility of the new Re(CO)(3) (R-bpm) complexes for fluorescence imaging and reveal significant differences between the simple methyl ester 5 and the NT bioconjugate 7.     

Controlled reduction for size selective synthesis of thiolate-protected gold nanoclusters Aun (n = 20, 24, 39, 40)

ABSTRACT: This work presents a controlled reduction method for the selective synthesis of different sized gold nanoclusters protected by thiolate (SR = SC2H4Ph). Starting with Au(III) salt, all the syntheses of Aun(SR)m nanoclusters with (n, m) = (20, 16), (24, 20), (39, 29), and (40, 30) necessitate experimental conditions of slow stirring and slow reduction of Au(I) intermediate species. By controlling the reaction kinetics for the reduction of Au(I) into clusters by NaBH4, different sized gold nanoclusters are selectively obtained. Two factors are identified to be important for the selective growth of Au20, Au24, and Au39/40 nanoclusters, including the stirring speed of the Au(I) solution and the NaBH4 addition speed during the step of Au(I) reduction to clusters. When comparing with the synthesis of Au25(SC2H4Ph)18 nanoclusters, we further identified that the reduction degree of Au(I) by NaBH4 also plays an important role in controlling cluster size. Overall, our results demonstrate the feasibility of attaining new sizes of gold nanoclusters via a controlled reduction route.