Synthesis of gold nanoparticles for in situ conjugation with structural carbohydrates

Abstract

(Chemical Equation Presented) Sugaring the pill: Gold nanoparticles (GNPs) were successfully synthesized from tetrachloroauric acid through a novel redox reaction in an aqueous N-methylmorpholine-N-oxide (NMMO) solution, which is a well-known solvent for structural carbohydrates such as cellulose (see picture, TSC=thiosemicarbazone). This unique approach allowed facile, simultaneous GNP synthesis and in situ glycosurface modification in one pot. © 2008 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA.