Size-Controlled Synthesis of Modifiable Glycine-Terminated Au Nanoclusters as a Platform for Further Functionalization

An improved and simple synthetic method for producing stable narrow-sized glycine-cystamine (Gly-CSA)-functionalized Au nanoclusters (NCs) from protected Fmoc-glycine-cystamine (Fmoc-Gly-CSA)-functionalized Au NCs is demonstrated in this study. The NC size and size distribution can be controlled directly as a function of reducing agent concentration with the formation of smaller NC core diameters at higher concentrations of NaBH4. Furthermore, when using 0.30 M NaBH4, three UV-vis absorption peaks at 690, 440, and 390 nm were seen, which are consistent with the formation of Fmoc-Gly-CSA-functionalized Au25L18 NCs. After deprotection of the Gly-CSA-functionalized Au NCs, the reactivity of the primary amine groups was investigated. Methyl acrylate-glycine-cystamine (MA-Gly-CSA)-functionalized Au NCs with terminal acetyl groups were formed via the Michael addition reaction of terminal amine groups with methyl acrylate. This reaction resulted in the formation of ester-terminated Au NCs including atom-precise MA-Gly-CSA Au-25(SR)(18) NCs. The functionalization of the ligand was confirmed by H-1 NMR and UV-vis spectra, and TEM images of MA-Gly-CSA- and Gly-CSA-functionalized Au NCs showed that the size of the NCs remained unchanged after the reaction. With controllable NC size and facile functionalization of the Gly-CSA-functionalized Au NCs, these clusters have promising potential as scaffolds for biomedical applications.

Automated summary

This study demonstrates an improved and simple synthetic method for producing stable narrow-sized Gly-CSA-functionalized Au nanoclusters, with the NC size and distribution controlled by reducing agent concentration, resulting in smaller NC core diameters at higher NaBH4 concentrations. The functionalized Au NCs show promising potential for biomedical applications due to their controllable size and facile functionalization.