Issue 21, 2007

Gold nanoparticle-initiated free radical oxidations and halogen abstractions

Abstract

We report on the use of EPR spectroscopy and spin trapping technique to detect free radical intermediates formed in the presence of gold nanoparticles. Phosphine- and amine-protected gold nanoparticles were found to initiate air oxidation of organic substrates containing active hydrogen atoms, such as amines and phosphine oxides. Nanoparticles protected by stronger bound ligands (e.g., thiols) were inactive in these reactions. We also found that gold nanoparticles are able to abstract a halogen atom from the halogenated compounds, presumably due to the high affinity of gold metal for halogens. Reaction of Au nanoparticles with chloroform showed an unusual inverse isotope effect. The trichloromethyl spin adduct was observed when Au nanoparticles were mixed with CDCl3 but not with CHCl3. This unexpected behaviour suggests that C–H bond breaking is not the rate-determining step in Au-initiated hydrogen abstraction.

Graphical abstract: Gold nanoparticle-initiated free radical oxidations and halogen abstractions

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
30 Jul 2007
Accepted
07 Sep 2007
First published
20 Sep 2007

Org. Biomol. Chem., 2007,5, 3504-3509

Gold nanoparticle-initiated free radical oxidations and halogen abstractions

P. Ionita, M. Conte, B. C. Gilbert and V. Chechik, Org. Biomol. Chem., 2007, 5, 3504 DOI: 10.1039/B711573C

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