Reaction of chloroauric acid with histidine in microdroplets yields a catalytic Au–(His)2 complex. Issue 9 (4th February 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Luo, Kai; Li, Jia; Cao, Yufei; Liu, Chengyuan; Ge, Jun; Chen, Hao; Zare, Richard N.
• Is Part Of: Chemical science. Volume 11:Issue 9(2020)
• Page Start: 2558
• Page End: 2565
• Publication Date: 2020-02-04
• Subjects: Chemistry -- Periodicals; 540.5
• DOI: 10.1039/c9sc06221a
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2041-6520

Abstract

Abstract : Microdroplets form the Au–(His)2 complex for catalyzing the reaction of phenylacetylene and indoline, which cannot occur in bulk. Abstract : An aqueous solution containing histidine (His, 100 μM) and chloroauric acid (HAuCl4, 10 μM) is electrosprayed (−4.5 kV) from a capillary (50 μm in diameter) with N2 nebulizing gas (120 psi). The resulting microdroplets entered a mass spectrometer with a 2 cm flight path. The mass spectrum recorded in negative ion mode showed several peaks including the Au5 nanocluster with the major one being [Au + 2His–2H] −, which is a catalytically active species. The reaction time was less 1 ms, and the yield of [Au + 2His–2H] − was 76%. In contrast, the bulk reaction for the same concentration run at room temperature for 2 h did not produce this species but instead formed Au10 nanocluster. When a solution of water and acetonitrile (1 : 1) containing indoline (100 mM) and the phenylacetylene (200 mM) as well as histidine and chloroauric acid at the same concentrations as above was electrosprayed, the mass spectrum showed the formation of the intermediate [Au + 2His + phenylacetylene + H] + . Upon collecting the microdroplets, the 4-methyl-4, 6-diphenyl-1, 2-dihydro-4 H -pyrrolo[3, 2, 1- ij ] quinolone product was observed by 1 H nuclear magnetic resonance and liquid chromatography with a yield of 44%. The microdroplet synthesis using the Au–(His)2 complex as a catalyst was scaled up using room-temperature ultrasonic nebulization to produce the product at the rate of 35 mg min −1, which is semi-preparative and demonstrates the promise of using microdroplet reactions for chemical synthesis.