Functionalization of gold nanoparticles by iron(III) complexes derived from Schiff base ligands

摘要

A series of iron(III) complexes derived from a variety of pentadentate Schiff base ligands, namely salten [H(2)salten = bis(3-salicylideneaminoprol)yl)amine] derivatives, have been synthesized and further used to stabilize and functionalize gold nanoparticles (Au-NPs). The iron complexes have been specifically designed to interact. with the Au-NPs through an ambidentate thiocyanate ligand or through a pendant thiol group carried by the salten derivative ligand. The gold nanocomposites have been synthesized either by direct reduction of Au-III in the presence of iron complexes or by coordination chemistry on prefunctionalized gold nanoparticles; in the latter case Au-NPs bearing pendant empty salten cages have been treated with Fe-III to generate the iron complexes. Steric and electrostatic repulsions have been tuned to obtain stable colloidal solutions or to induce the precipitation of the gold nanocomposites. ((C) Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2008)