A new synthesis for alkanethiolate-functionalized gold clusters derived fro
m sodium S-dodecylthiosulfate is presented. The new clusters are analytical
ly characterized by H-1 NMR spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy
(XPS), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, high-resolution tran
smission electron microscopy (HRTEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and
UV-vis absorption spectroscopy. These monolayer-protected clusters (MPCs)
are indistinguishable in composition, monolayer architecture, and Au-sulfur
bonding from those previously prepared from dodecanethiol using the Brust
synthesis. One difference is that, for syntheses run under identical condit
ions, the average core dimensions for MPC products from sodium S-dodecylthi
osulfate are somewhat larger. The average core size of MPCs synthesized fro
m sodium S-dodecylthiosulfate is somewhat solvent-dependent, being smaller
when they are made using toluene/H2O rather than THF/H2O.