C-C Coupling Reactions Catalyzed by Gold Nanoparticles: Evidence for Substrate-Mediated Leaching of Surface Atoms Using Localized Surface Plasmon Resonance Spectroscopy

摘要

Heterogeneous metal nanocatalysts have recently emerged as attractive catalysts for a variety of couplings (e.g., C-C, C-N, C-S, C-O, etc.). However, the characterization of the catalytic pathway remains challenging. By exploiting localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) of the catalytically relevant gold (Au) nanostructure, we show that UV-vis spectroscopy can be used to confirm the homogeneous catalytic pathway. Specifically, we have demonstrated that Au nanoparticles under C-C coupling conditions undergo substrate-induced leaching to form homogeneous Au catalytic species. The LSPR spectroscopic approach opens a new door to track stability of nanocatalysts and characterize the catalytic pathway in a range of coupling reactions.