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.