Facile preparation of chiral penicillamine protected gold nanoclusters and their applications in cell imaging.

A facile synthesis of chiral penicillamine protected Au nanoclusters with different optical properties has been reported. We have for the first time observed the reversal of CD signals after the scaffolds adsorbed onto the surface of Au NCs. Such Au NCs are utilized for bioimaging due to their low cytotoxicity and stable fluorescence emission.