Patent ID: 8901333

Claim:
A method for preparing a nanoparticle comprising: admixing one or more first nanocrystal precursors and one or more multi-functional ligands of general Formula I: (X) n -(L-R) y I wherein: each X is independently a nanocrystal binding center selected from phosphonic acid, phosphinic acid, phosphine, phosphine oxide, carboxylic acid, amine, imidazole, thiol, mercaptan, sulfonate, and selenate; each L is independently a linker selected from a covalent bond, saturated or unsaturated aliphatic chain of from 2 to about 500 carbon atoms, polyethylene glycol having from 2 to about 500 carbon atoms, polyester having from 2 to about 100 carbon atoms, and a combination thereof; each R independently is hydrogen or a group selected from halide, hydroxyl, carboxylic acid, carboxylic acid ester, ester, succinimidyl ester, alkyl ester, benzyl ester, aldehyde, amine including primary, secondary, or tertiary amine, polyamine, thiol, isocyanate, cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, benzyl, aryl, heteroaryl, alkaryl, heterocycle, imidazole, pyridone, tetrazole, cyano, cyanoalkyl, thiol, thioalkyl, alkoxy, thioalkoxy, ether, alkyl ether, thioether, polyether, carbamates, azide, amide, silyl, silyl ester, a polyethylene glycol moiety having from 2 to about 500 carbon atoms, a polyester having from 2 to about 20 carbon atoms, and combinations thereof, wherein at least one R comprises a hydrophilic or reactive functional group provided in a protected form; and y and n are independently 1 to 3; in a solvent to form a mixture; and heating the mixture to prepare the nanoparticle.