The Behavior of Au₅₅ Nanoclusters on and in Thiol‐Terminated Dendrimer Monolayers

Abstract

Golden prospects: Monolayers of the fourth-generation dendrimer G4-SH, which is decorated with 96 terminal thiol groups (see picture), bind Au55(PPh3)12Cl6 clusters as monolayers under inert conditions. In an atmosphere of CH2Cl2 the clusters begin to move and lose their ligand shell, which leads to the formation of nanosized crystals consisting of bare Au55 building blocks.