NHC-Ligated gold nanoparticles derived from cluster precursors for carbon monoxide oxidation reactions

Abstract

Trinuclear gold clusters functionalized with N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligands were thermally decomposed to form NHC-stabilized gold nanoparticles. By systematically adjusting the substituents and electronic structures of the N-heterocyclic carbenes, the size and Auδ- active sites of the resulting gold nanoparticles was controlled, thereby modulating their catalytic performance in the conversion of CO to CO2 at the minimum temperature of 50 oC with an excellent efficiency.