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 Au^δ− active sites of the resulting gold nanoparticles were controlled, thereby modulating their catalytic performance in the conversion of CO to CO₂ at the minimum temperature of 50 °C with an excellent efficiency.