Osmium Organosol on DNA: Application in Catalytic Hydrogenation Reaction and in SERS Studies

Osmium (Os) organosol on DNA scaffold has been synthesized by utilizing a homogeneous reduction route. The synthesis was done by the reduction of OsO4 with tetrabutylammonium borohydride (TBABH(4)) in the presence of DNA in acetone within 10 min of stirring at room temperature. Different morphologies were synthesized by varying the DNA to OsO4 molar ratio and controlling the other reaction parameters. The eventual diameters of the individual Os particles in organosol were similar to 1 similar to 3 nm, and the nominal lengths of the wires were similar to 1 similar to 2 mu m. The potentiality of the Os organosol was tested in two different applications: one is the catalytic hydrogenation of cyclohexene to cyclohexane and other is the surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) studies. The SERS study has been examined using MB as a Raman probe, and the EF value is found to be the highest in the case of Os organosol having aggregated wires (short size) compared to longer wires. The fast synthesis of Os organosol on DNA and their potential catalytic and SERS activity will be found to be very useful in the near future for the catalytic applications of various organic reactions and in the fields of sensors, electronic devices, and fuel cells.