A simple and efficient way to make stablised platinum nanoparticles has been designed for nanotechnological applications. 

Giuliano Longoni and colleagues at the University of Bologna, Italy, have designed a new one-step synthesis for the [Pt₃₈(CO)₄₄]^2- dianion from the metal hexachloride salt. These molecular metal carbonyl nanoclusters have had limited use in nanotechnology as until now their purification has been difficult. 

The platinum dianion, unlike other metal salts, is soluble in THF and can therefore be quantitatively separated, to give yields of up to 70 per cent. Other platinum salt oligomers can also be obtained by varying the pressure of carbon monoxide used. 

Since this new method uses commercially available starting materials such as K₂PtCl₆, water and carbon monoxide, no special apparatus or skill is required. These advantages make it readily available for use in nanoscience by non-specialists. 

Longoni hopes this new method will assist in the preparation and characterisation of new molecular platinum carbonyl clusters that have potential use in molecular electronics and nanolithography. 

Sarah Dixon