Synthesis of Amphiphilic CdTe Nanocrystals

The synthesis of CdTe nanocrystals capped with thiolated methoxypolyethylene glycols can be performed both in water and in toluene. The evolving nanocrystals are compatible with a variety of different solvents. A phase transfer of nanocrystals initially prepared in toluene to water and subsequently to chloroform occurs spontaneously without any adjustments to the composition or to the properties of the pure solvents used. By this amphiphilic behavior, the thus-synthesized nanoparticles might be of superior interest in biological applications because they should have the ability to overcome barriers of varying polarity such as cell membranes.