This study reports the synthesis of the gold nano-particles assembly mediated by some amino acids, such
as ornithine (Orn), isoleucine (i-Leu), serine (Ser) and histidine (His). The structural characterization of
[Au
2
(AA)
2
(Cl)
2
]
2+
Cl
(where AA = Orn, i-Leu, Ser and His) compounds were done by using elemental analysis,
molar conductance, FT-IR, Raman, UV–vis, X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), scanning electron
microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) spectroscopy. It has been found from the elemental
analysis, spectroscopic and the thermal studies that the amino acids ligand behaves as bidentate
ligand forming chelates with 1:1 (metal:ligand) stoichiometry. The molar conductance measurements of
the complexes in DMSO indicate that the complexes are electrolyte. The thermal decomposition mechanisms
were discussed for compounds Orn, i-Leu, Ser and His and occurred in two consecutive steps. The
TG curves of the gold(III) compounds suggest the loss of the ligands (Orn, i-Leu, Ser and His) within two
steps, with probable formation of a gold free metal. The biological and anti-cancer activities (Breast carcinoma
cells (MCF-7-cell line) of the nano-sized complexes have also been studied.
2