Mass spectrometry of ligand exchange chelation of the nanoparticle [Au25(SCH2CH2C6H5)18]1- by CH3C6H3(SH)2.

Mass spectrally detected products of ligand exchange reactions of the nanoparticle Au25(SC2H4C6H5)18, (abbrev. Au25(SC2Ph)18), where the dithiol is toluene-3,4-dithiol, CH3C6H3(SH)2, include nanoparticles containing both doubly (bidentate, or chelating) and singly bonded dithiol. The bidentate binding displaces two of the original -SC2Ph ligands, and singly bonded dithiol displaces one -SC2Ph ligand, while maintaining, for mass spectrally detected species, occupancy of 18 ligation sites. Extended exchange reaction times result in an apparent maximum of six chelated dithiolates. In the Au25(SC2Ph)18 nanoparticle, six semi-rings of -S(R)-Au-S(R)-Au-S(R)- act as the protecting ligand shell surrounding a Au13 core; the chelation is suggested to involve binding of dithiolates to adjacent semi-rings, rather than to a single semi-ring. Both high resolution ESI and lower resolution MALDI spectra support the product assignments. A minor extent of bidentate ligand incorporation is sufficient to severely compromise the well-known Au25(SC2Ph)18 UV-vis fine structure and to alter its voltammetric pattern, reflecting either associated semi-ring distortion and/or decay of the exchange product.