On the chiroptical properties of Au(i)–thiolate glycoconjugate precursors and their influence on sugar-protected gold nanoparticles (glyconanoparticles)

Abstract

Chiral gold nanoparticles passivated with glycoconjugates were prepared. By extensive washing, they lost their chiroptical activity, whereas highly luminescent compounds isolated from the washing reproduced the original ellipticity. A systematic characterization of these compounds, Au(I) precursors and glyconanoparticles allowed us to unravel the origin of the observed chiroptical activity.