Gold and Silver Chains from Tetrahydrothiophenocucurbit[6]uril as Au or Ag-Nanoparticles.

Tetrahydrothiophenocucurbit[5 and 6]uril has been synthesized from tetrathiophenoglycoluril diether, providing thioether functionality at the exterior equatorial position of the cucurbituril cage. This functionality has been investigated for chemical modification through sulfoxide formation and subsequent Pummerer rearrangement to the acetoxy derivative of the tetrahydrothiophenocucurbit[5]uril. Nanoparticles of Au and Ag were prepared in the presence of tetrahydrothiophenocucurbit[6]uril, which curiously led to the formation of nanoparticle chains, growing in length over days to weeks.

Microwave Synthesis of Au Nanoparticles in the Presence of Tetrahydrothiophenocucurbituril.

The preparation of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) from tetrachloroauric acid in the presence of tetrahydrothiophenocucurbit[n]uril (THTmQ[n]) has been effectively achieved in a microwave reactor. The reaction was performed in the presence of an excess of the tetrahydrothiopheno function in a partial reductant role, while the remainder formed AuNP-THTmQ[n] conjugates after the reduction was completed with formic acid. An affinity for the AuNPs by the THTmQ[n] was observed in the purification of the NPs via centrifugation, removal of the supernatant and resuspension of the conjugate.