Functionalization of Hydride-Terminated Photoluminescent Silicon Nanocrystals with Organolithium Reagents.

Hydride-terminated photoluminescent silicon nanocrystals (SiNCs) were functionalized with organolithium compounds. The reaction is proposed to proceed through cleavage of SiSi bonds and formation of a SiLi surface species. The method yields colloidally stabilized SiNCs at room temperature with short reaction times. SiNCs with mixed surface functionalities can be prepared in an easy two-step reaction by this method by quenching of the SiLi group with electrophiles or by addressing free SiH groups on the surface with a hydrosilylation reaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]