Facile morphology control of gold(0) structures from aurophilic assemblies

Different gold microstructures have been synthesized by using supramolecular gold(I) organometallic compounds as templates and Ag nanoparticles as reducing agent. The use of fibers resulting from supramolecular assemblies of neutral gold(I) compounds, gives rise to the formation of microrods. The use of supramolecular assemblies from ionic molecules results in spherical or square-based prisms gold microstructures, depending on the shape of the supramolecular gold(I) precursor assembly. In addition to temperature and reaction time, the solvent has a strong influence on the formation and morphology of the gold structures. Well-defined star-like morphologies have been obtained in chloroform.