Synthesis of monodisperse gold octahedra in polyol: Selective oxidation of stilbene

Abstract A simple chemical route, based on a modified polyol process is used to synthesize mono-disperse gold octahedra (Oct-AuNPs) in 1,3-propanediol with polyvinyl-pyrrolidone K 30 (PVP K 30 ) as capping agent. Both the solvent and the surfactant, in the solution play important roles in the formation of the Oct −AuNPs. Shape, size and optical properties of the particles could be tuned by changing the molar ratio of PVP K 30 to metal salts. The anisotropy in nanoparticles shape shows strong localized surface plasmon resonance (SPR) in the near infrared region of the electromagnetic spectrum. These prepared gold nano-octahedra were subsequently used for the selective oxidation of stilbene. They show significant catalytic activity and selectivity towards epoxidation using TBHP as oxygen donor.