Functionalization of Gold Nanoparticles by Iron(III) Complexes Derived from Schiff Base Ligands

Abstract

AbstractA series of iron(III) complexes derived from a variety of pentadentate Schiff base ligands, namely salten [H2salten = bis(3‐salicylideneaminopropyl)amine] derivatives, have been synthesized and further used to stabilize and functionalize gold nanoparticles (Au‐NPs). The iron complexes have been specifically designed to interact with the Au‐NPs through an ambidentate thiocyanate ligand or through a pendant thiol group carried by the salten derivative ligand. The gold nanocomposites have been synthesized either by direct reduction of AuIII in the presence of iron complexes or by coordination chemistry on prefunctionalized gold nanoparticles; in the latter case Au‐NPs bearing pendant empty salten cages have been treated with FeIII to generate the iron complexes. Steric and electrostatic repulsions have been tuned to obtain stable colloidal solutions or to induce the precipitation of the gold nanocomposites. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2008)