Iodine activation: a general method for catalytic enhancement of thiolate monolayer-protected metal clusters.

ABSTRACT: To enhance catalytic activity, the present study details a general approach for partial thiolate ligand removal from monolayer-protected clusters (MPCs) by straightforward in situ addition of iodine. Two model reactions are examined to illustrate the effects on the catalytic activity of glutathione (SG)-capped Au MPCs serving as a catalyst for the NaBH4 reduction of 4-nitrophenol to 4-aminophenol and SG-capped Pd MPCs serving as a catalyst for the hydrogenation/isomerization of allyl alcohol. Iodine addition promoted partial thiolate ligand removal from both MPCs and improved the catalytic properties, presumably due to greater surface exposure of the metal cores as a result of ligand dissociation. The rate of 4-nitrophenol reduction increased from 0.066 min-1 in the absence of I2 to 0.505

SUBMITTER: Sibakoti TR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7350617 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature