Self‐Assembled Magnetic Gold Catalysts from Dual‐Functional Boron Clusters

Abstract

Abstract A new class of core–shell magnetic gold nanocomposites is prepared in a raspberry‐like fashion by the controlled supramolecular host–guest assembly of γ‐cyclodextrins (γ‐CDs) and boron clusters. In this work, Cs 2 [ closo ‐B 12 H 12 ], a fundamental boron cluster, can play a dual role in the preparation of highly monodispersed Au nanoparticles and in the immobilization of Au nanoparticles on the γ‐CDs@Fe 3 O 4 surface as an effective anchor. This facile and spontaneous supramolecular strategy allows for the control of the size and composition of the highly stable gold composites. Furthermore, the obtained AuNPs@Fe 3 O 4 composites exhibit an excellent catalytic activity and recyclability for the selective reduction of nitroaromatics to their corresponding aniline compounds, and the fastest reaction can be achieved within 20 s with a high conversion and selectivity at room temperature, which is better than that obtained previously in studies on metal nanoparticle composites as catalysts.