Place Exchange Reactions of Alkyl Thiols on Gold Nanoparticles

Abstract

The kinetics and equilibrium position of place exchange (alkylthiol-for-alkylthiol) reactions of gold nanoparticles are reported. These reactions were monitored via a gas chromatography analysis of structurally similar incoming and outgoing alkylthiols, as a function of time. The place exchange reactions described here proceed to an equilibrium position, where Keq approximately 1. The product-time data follow Langmuir diffusion kinetics.