Formation of a Pt1Sn1(niggliite)–silica xerogel nanocomposite using a PtSn (1:1) organometallic precursor

Covalent incorporation of a complex containing a bifunctional thiolate substituent and a 1:1 Pt:Sn metal core stoichiometry into a silica xerogel matrix is accomplished using sol–gel processing. Thermal degradation of this complex–silica xerogel composite under solely reducing conditions affords a nanocomposite material in which the nanocluster phase has the Pt1Sn1 composition of niggliite. The use of a PtSn (1:1) complex as a single-source molecular precursor for the formation of a Pt1Sn1–silica xerogel nanocomposite is demonstrated.