Green Synthesis of Leaning Tower[6]arene-Mediated Gold Nanoparticles for Label-Free Detection.

Here a facile synthesis strategy toward carboxylated leaning tower[6]arene (CLT6)-mediated gold nanoparticles (CLT6-AuNPs) without external energy sources and reducing agents has been developed. Due to the cavity structure of CLT6, CLT6-AuNPs with a controllable particle size show good stability and excellent performance in label-free detection of diquat. Significantly, we reveal the reduction mechanism of AuNP formation, which is the cleavage of some phenyl ether bonds of CLT6 to produce reductive phenols, thus reducing Au3+ to AuNPs.