Diazonium salts as grafting agents and efficient radical-hydrosilylation initiators for freestanding photoluminescent silicon nanocrystals

The reactivity of diazonium salts towards freestanding, photoluminescent silicon nanocrystals (SiNCs) is reported. It was found that SiNCs can be functionalized with aryl groups by direct reductive grafting of the diazonium salts. Furthermore, diazonium salts are efficient radical initiators for SiNC hydrosilylation. For this purpose, novel electron-deficient diazonium salts, highly soluble in nonpolar solvents were synthesized. The SiNCs were functionalized with a variety of alkenes and alkynes at room temperature with short reaction times. Surface grafting: Diazonium salts are used as grafting agents and radical hydrosilylation initiators on freestanding photo-luminescent silicon nanocrystals (SiNCs). Novel, electron-deficient and organic soluble diazonium salts were synthesized that allow hydrosilylation reactions at room temperature with short reaction times. The SiNCs were modified with a variety of alkenes and alkynes in this way (see scheme).