Synthesis of Au(0) nanoparticles from W/O microemulsions

Clear W/O microemulsions of NaAuCl4 and NaBH4 can be obtained using the four components: cetyltrimethylammonium bromide, 1-butanol, n-octane and aqueous solutions of inorganic salts. They can be mixed giving microemulsions of Au(0) nanoparticles in the micellar cores. The red gold systems have been supported on activated carbon and tested in the catalytic liquid phase selective oxidation of glycol to glycolate by O2.