Oxidation of alkanethiol monolayers on gold cluster surfaces

Reaction of ozone with alkanethiol monolayers on gold cluster surfaces is r eported. Ozone diffuses through the monolayer and reacts with the head grou p forming oxidized sulfur on the cluster surface, increasing disorder in th e monolayer assembly. During the reaction conducted in toluene, some of the thiols undergo desorption from the surface resulting in increased inter-cl uster interaction leading to aggregation and consequent precipitation of th e clusters. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.