Nano-reagents with cooperative catalysis and their uses in multiple phase reactions

Abstract

Nano-reagents with catalytic activity are provided herein. The nanocatalyst comprises at least one amino acid attached to a nanoparticle, wherein the reactive side chain of the amino acid catalyzes a chemical or biological reaction. Methods of using these nano-reagents to catalyze reactions in solution or in multiple phases are also provided, as are methods of making these nanocatalysts.

1 . A process for making a nanocatalyst comprising at least one reactive species attached to a metal oxide nanoparticle, the process comprising mixing at least one hydroxyl-containing compound carrying the reactive species with a metal oxide nanoparticle coated with a hydrophobic surfactant, whereby the hydroxyl-containing compound replaces the hydrophobic surfactant on the surface of the metal oxide nanoparticle and the nanocatalyst is produced. 
     
     
         2 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein the mixing comprises sonication for about six hours. 
     
     
         3 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein the hydrophobic surfactant is chosen from a saturated long chain fatty acid, an unsaturated long chain fatty acid, and a mixture thereof, the fatty acid comprising about 14 to about 22 carbons. 
     
     
         4 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein the hydroxyl-containing compound is chosen from an alcohol, a diol, a carboxylic acid, and a hydroxide. 
     
     
         5 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein the reactive species is an amino acid chosen from aspartic acid, cysteine, glutamic acid, histidine, lysine, and serine. 
     
     
         6 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein the reactive species is a palladium-containing compound. 
     
     
         7 . The process of  claim 4 , wherein the metal oxide nanoparticle is an iron oxide nanoparticle, the hydrophobic surfactant is oleic acid, and the hydroxyl-containing compound is dopamine. 
     
     
         8 . The process of  claim 7 , wherein the reactive species is an amino acid chosen from aspartic acid, cysteine, glutamic acid, histidine, lysine, and serine. 
     
     
         9 . The process of  claim 4 , wherein the wherein the metal oxide nanoparticle is an iron oxide nanoparticle, the hydrophobic surfactant is oleic acid, and the hydroxyl-containing compound is silicon hydroxide. 
     
     
         10 . The process of  claim 9 , wherein the reactive species is a palladium-containing compound.