Imidazolium ionic liquids as promoters and stabilising agents for the preparation of metal(0)nanoparticles by reduction and decomposition of organometallic complexes

The organometallic complexes ([Ru(COD)(2-methylallyl) 2 ] and [Ni(COD) 2 ] (COD = 1,5-cyclooctadiene) dissolved in imidazolium ionic liquids (ILs) undergo reduction and decomposition, respectively, to afford stable ruthenium and nickel metal(0)nanoparticles (Ru(0)-NPs and Ni(0)-NPs) in the absence of classical reducing agents. Depending on the case, the reduction/auto-decomposition is promoted by either the cation and/or anion of the neat imidazolium ILs. Neat ionic liquids provoke reduction/auto-decomposition of [Ru(COD)(2-methylallyl) 2 ] and [Ni(COD) 2 ] (COD = 1,5-cyclooctadiene) affording stable metal(0) nanoparticles.