High-resolution separation of thiolate-protected gold clusters by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography.

Thiolate (RS)-protected gold clusters (Aun(SR)m) have attracted much attention as building blocks of functional nanomaterials. Our group has been studying the high-resolution separation of Aun(SR)m clusters using reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography. In this perspective, we summarize our recent results on the separation of Aun(SR)m clusters and their doped clusters according to the core size, charge state, ligand composition, and coordination isomers.

Advanced use of high-performance liquid chromatography for synthesis of controlled metal clusters.

Because the synthesis of metal clusters with multiple ligand types results in a distribution of ligands, high-resolution separation of each unique cluster from the mixture is required for precise control of the ligand composition. Reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography combined with appropriate transitioning of the mobile phase composition is an extremely effective means of separating ligand combinations when working with metal clusters protected by two different types of thiolates. We report herein advanced use of this method.