Versatile “click” synthesis of 1-hydroxy-1,1-methylenebisphosphonic acids with thioalkoxy substituents for the preparation of stable gold nanoparticles

Abstract

New structures of hydroxymethyl bisphosphonate (HMBP) were prepared through thiol–yne and thiol–ene click reactions. The synthesized polyethyleneglycol-functionalized HMBPs were then utilized for the one-pot synthesis of gold nanoparticles (Au NPs). These Au NPs were demonstrated to be highly stable in a physiological medium with high salt concentrations, and could moreover be efficiently functionalized by an organic dye leading to fluorescent Au NPs that are hours long stable in serum.