Rhombicuboctahedral Ag100: Four‐Layered Octahedral Silver Nanocluster Adopting the Russian Nesting Doll Model

Precise atomic structure of metal nanoclusters (NCs) is fundamental for elucidating the structure–property relationships and the inherent size‐evolution principles. Reported here is the largest known FCC‐based (FCC=face centered cubic) silver nanocluster, [Ag₁₀₀(SC₆H₃^3,4F₂)₄₈(PPh₃)₈]^?: the first all‐octahedral symmetric nesting Ag nanocluster with a four‐layered Ag₆@Ag₃₈@Ag₄₈S₂₄@Ag₈S₂₄P₈ structure, consistent symmetry elements, and a unique rhombicuboctahedral morphology distinct from theoretical predictions and previously reported FCC‐based Ag clusters. DFT studies revealed extensive interlayer interactions and degenerate frontier orbitals. The FCC‐based Russian nesting doll model constitutes a new platform for the study of the size‐evolution principles of Ag NCs.     

A Sodalite‐Type Silver Orthophosphate Cluster in a Globular Silver Nanocluster

The synthesis and structure of a giant 102‐silver‐atom nanocluster (NC) 1 is presented. X‐ray structural analysis reveals that 1 features a multi‐shelled metallic core of Ag₆@Ag₂₄@Ag₆₀@Ag₁₂. An octahedral Ag₆ core is encaged by a truncated octahedral Ag₂₄ shell. The Ag₂₄ shell is composed of a hitherto unknown sodalite‐type silver orthophosphate cluster (SOC) {(Ag₃PO₄)₈}, reminiscent of the Ag₃PO₄ photocatalyst. The SOC is capped by six interstitial sulfur atoms, giving a unique anionic cluster [Ag₆@{(Ag₃PO₄)₈}S₆]^6?, which functions as an intricate polyhedral template with abundant surface O and S atoms guiding the formation of a rare rhombicosidodecahedral Ag₆₀ shell. An array of 6 linear Ag₂ staples further surround this Ag₆₀ shell. [Ag₆@{(Ag₃PO₄)₈}S₆]^6? is an unusual Ag‐based templating anion to induce the assembly of a SOC within silver NC. This finding provides molecular models for bulk Ag₃PO₄, and offers a fresh template strategy for the synthesis of silver NCs with high symmetry.     

A Sodalite-Type Silver Orthophosphate Cluster in a Globular Silver Nanocluster

The synthesis and structure of a giant 102-silver-atom nanocluster (NC) 1 is presented. X-ray structural analysis reveals that 1 features a multi-shelled metallic core of Ag₆@Ag₂₄@Ag₆₀@Ag₁₂. An octahedral Ag₆ core is encaged by a truncated octahedral Ag₂₄ shell. The Ag₂₄ shell is composed of a hitherto unknown sodalite-type silver orthophosphate cluster (SOC) {(Ag₃PO₄)₈}, reminiscent of the Ag₃PO₄ photocatalyst. The SOC is capped by six interstitial sulfur atoms, giving a unique anionic cluster [Ag₆@{(Ag₃PO₄)₈}S₆]⁶⁻, which functions as an intricate polyhedral template with abundant surface O and S atoms guiding the formation of a rare rhombicosidodecahedral Ag₆₀ shell. An array of 6 linear Ag₂ staples further surround this Ag₆₀ shell. [Ag₆@{(Ag₃PO₄)₈}S₆]⁶⁻ is an unusual Ag-based templating anion to induce the assembly of a SOC within silver NC. This finding provides molecular models for bulk Ag₃PO₄, and offers a fresh template strategy for the synthesis of silver NCs with high symmetry.     

Cu Doping-Induced Transformation from [Ag62S12(SBut)32]2+ to [Ag62−xCuxS12(SBut)32]4+ Nanocluster

The change in the valence state of nanocluster can induce remarkable changes in the properties and structure. However, achieving the valence state changes in nanoclusters is still a challenge. In this work, we use Cu²⁺ as dopant to “oxidize” [Ag₆₂S₁₂(SBu^t)₃₂]²⁺ (4 free electrons) to obtain the new nanocluster: [Ag_62−xCu_xS₁₂(SBu^t)₃₂]⁴⁺ with 2 free electrons. As revealed by its structure, the [Ag_62−xCu_xS₁₂(SBu^t)₃₂]⁴⁺ (x=10∼21) has a similar structure to that of [Ag₆₂S₁₂(SBu^t)₃₂]²⁺ precursor and all the Cu atoms occupy the surface site of nanocluster. It′s worth noting that with the Cu atoms doping, the [Ag_62−xCu_xS₁₂(SBu^t)₃₂]⁴⁺ nanocluster is more stable than [Ag₆₂S₁₂(SBu^t)₃₂]²⁺ at higher temperature and in electrochemical cycle. This result has laid a foundation for the subsequent application and exploration. Overall, this work reveals crystals structure of a new Ag−Cu nanocluster and offers a new insight into the electron reduction/oxidation of nanocluster.     

Core Modulation of 70‐Nuclei Core‐Shell Silver Nanoclusters

The reaction of {(HNEt₃)₂[Ag₁₀(tBuC₆H₄S)₁₂]}_n, Ag₂O, Na₂MoO₄, and m‐methoxybenzoic acid (Hmbc) in CH₃OH/CH₂Cl₂ led to yellow crystals of [Ag₄S₄ (MoO₄)₅@Ag₆₆] (SD/Ag70b; SD=SunDi) only, while in the presence of DMF, additional dark‐red crystals of [Ag₁₀@ (MoO₄)₇@Ag₆₀] (SD/Ag70a) were obtained. SD/Ag70b consists of five MoO₄^2? ions wrapped by a shell of 66 Ag atoms, while SD/Ag70a contains a rare Ag₁₀ kernel consisting of five tetrahedra sharing faces and edges, surrounded by seven MoO₄^2? ions enclosed in a shell of 60 Ag atoms. The formation of the Ag₁₀ kernel originates from a reduction reaction during the self‐assembly process that involves DMF. This work provides the structural information of a unique Ag₁₀ kernel (five fused Ag₄ tetrahedra) and paves an avenue to trap elusive silver species with hierarchical multi‐shell silver nanocluster assemblies with the help of anion templates.     

Formation of an Alkynyl-Protected Ag112 Silver Nanocluster as Promoted by Chloride Released In Situ from CH2Cl2

By directly reducing alkynyl–silver precursors, we successfully obtained a large alkynyl-protected silver nanocluster, (C₇H₁₇ClN)₃[Ag₁₁₂Cl₆(C≡CAr)₅₁], which is hitherto the largest structurally characterized silver nanocluster in the alkynyl family. The cluster exhibits four concentric core–shell structures (Ag₁₃@Ag₄₂@Ag₄₈@Ag₉), and four types of alkynyl–silver binding modes are observed. Chloride was found to be critical for the stabilization and formation of the silver nanocluster. The release of chloride ions in situ from CH₂Cl₂ solvent has been confirmed by mass spectrometry. This study suggests that the combination of alkynyl and halide ligands will pave a new way for the synthesis of large silver nanoclusters.     

Formation of an Alkynyl‐Protected Ag112 Silver Nanocluster as Promoted by Chloride Released In Situ from CH2Cl2

By directly reducing alkynyl–silver precursors, we successfully obtained a large alkynyl‐protected silver nanocluster, (C₇H₁₇ClN)₃[Ag₁₁₂Cl₆(C≡CAr)₅₁], which is hitherto the largest structurally characterized silver nanocluster in the alkynyl family. The cluster exhibits four concentric core–shell structures (Ag₁₃@Ag₄₂@Ag₄₈@Ag₉), and four types of alkynyl–silver binding modes are observed. Chloride was found to be critical for the stabilization and formation of the silver nanocluster. The release of chloride ions in situ from CH₂Cl₂ solvent has been confirmed by mass spectrometry. This study suggests that the combination of alkynyl and halide ligands will pave a new way for the synthesis of large silver nanoclusters.     

High‐Nuclearity Silver Thiolate Clusters Constructed with Phosphonates

The n‐butylphosphonate ligand has been employed to construct three new silver(I) thiolate compounds. Single‐crystal X‐ray analysis revealed that complexes 1 and 2 are Ag₄₈ and Ag₅₁ coordination chain polymers, while 3 contains a discrete Ag₄₈ cluster, in which three different kinds of silver(I) thiolate cluster shells enclose three different phosphonate‐functionalized silver(I) cluster cores, respectively. The structures of clusters in 1 – 3 feature three three‐shell arrangements, S@Ag₁₂@(nBuPO₃)₉@Ag₃₆S₂₃, S@Ag₁₁@(nBuPO₃)₇(MoO₄)₂ @Ag₄₀S₂₇ and MoO₄@Ag₁₂@(nBuPO₃)₈S₆ @Ag₃₆S₂₄, respectively.     

Structure of the Ligated Ag60 Nanoparticle [{Cl@Ag12}@Ag48(dppm)12] (where dppm=bis(diphenylphosphino)methane)

A novel bisphosphine ligated Ag₆₀ nanocluster, [{Cl@Ag₁₂}@Ag₄₈(dppm)₁₂], has been dis-covered and characterized by X-ray crystallography. It consists of a central chloride located inside an icosahedral silver core layer, which is further encased by a second shell of 48 silver atoms/ions, which are capped with 12 bis(diphenylphosphino)methane (dppm) ligands. Due to lack of sufficient material the cluster could not be further characterized by other methods. DFT calculations were carried out on the cation [{Cl@Ag₁₂}@Ag₄₈(dppm)₁₂]⁺ to determine if it corresponds to a superatom with a core count of n=58. The DFT optimized structure is in agreement with X-ray ndings, but the low value of the HOMO-LUMO gap does not support superatom stability.     

An Atomically Precise Alkynyl‐Protected PtAg42 Superatom Nanocluster and Its Structural Implications

The synthesis and structure determination of an alkynyl‐protected Pt‐doped Ag superatom nanocluster, [PtAg₄₂(C≡CC₆H₄CH₃)₂₈](SbF₆)₆ (1) , are reported. The metallic core of this cluster can be viewed as a concentric three‐shell Russian doll comprising Pt@Ag₁₂@Ag₃₀, in which the missing icosidodecahedral Ag₃₀ shell and a new structural unit, M₄₃, have been observed. On the surface of 1 , 28 alkynyl groups and 4 SbF₆⁻ anions were found co‐protecting it. The protective role of SbF₆⁻ in nanoclusters is unprecedented. Moreover, of the 28 alkynyl ligands, 12 are connected not only with the outermost Ag₃₀ shell, but also the inner Ag₁₂ shell through the twelve pentagonal faces of the outermost icosidodecahedral Ag₃₀ shell. Overall, by determining the crystal structure of 1 , we discovered the missing icosidodecahedral Ag₃₀ shell and the protective effect of SbF₆⁻ anions and demonstrated a novel M₄₃ structural unit and the unique penetrability of pentagonal faces.     

Different Silver Nanoparticles in One Crystal: Ag210(iPrPhS)71(Ph3P)5Cl and Ag211(iPrPhS)71(Ph3P)6Cl

Two pure silver nanoparticles (Ag₂₁₀(ⁱPrPhS)₇₁(Ph₃P)₅Cl and Ag₂₁₁(ⁱPrPhS)₇₁(Ph₃P)₆Cl labeled as SD/Ag210 and SD/Ag211 (SD=SunDi), were found to co‐crystallize in forming compound 1 . Single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction (SCXRD) revealed that they differ by only one Ag(PPh₃). Their four‐shell nanoparticles consist of three pure Ag metal shells (Ag₁₉@Ag₅₂@Ag₄₅) shielded by a silver‐organic Ag₈₉(ⁱPrPhS)₇₁Cl[Ag(Ph₃P)]_n outermost shell. The number (n) of Ag(Ph₃P) is five for SD/Ag210 and six for SD/Ag211. The pseudo‐fivefold symmetric Ag nanoparticles exhibit surface plasmon absorption similar to a true metallic state but at the nanoscale. This work exemplifies the important effects of phosphine in stabilizing large silver nanoparticles; and offers a platform to investigate the origin of differences in nanoscale metal materials, even differing by only one metal atom; it also sheds light on the regioselective binding of auxiliary Ph₃P on the surface of silver nanoparticles.     

Nestlike Silver(I) Thiolate Clusters with Tunable Emission Color Templated by Heteroanions

Four silver thiolate clusters, [H₃O][(Ag₃S₃)(BF₄)@Ag₂₇(tBuS)₁₈(hfac)₆H₂O] ⋅ H₂O ( 1 ; hfac = hexafluoroacetylacetone), [(Ag₃S₃)(CF₃CO₂)@Ag₃₀(tBuS)₁₆(CF₃CO₂)₉(CH₃CN)₄] ⋅ CF₃CO₂ ⋅ 4 CH₃CN ( 2 ), [(Ag₃S₃)(MoO₄)@Ag₃₀(tBuS)₁₆(CF₃CO₂)₉(CH₃CN)₄] ⋅ 2 CH₃CN ( 3 ), and [(Ag₃S₃)(CrO₄)@Ag₃₀(tBuS)₁₆(CF₃CO₂)₉(CH₃CN)₄] ⋅ 4 CH₃CN ( 4 ), were isolated. They have similar nestlike structures assembled by an [Ag₃S₃]³⁻ template together with one of the BF₄⁻, CF₃CO₂⁻, MoO₄²⁻, or CrO₄²⁻ anions. Interestingly, the solid-state emissions of 2 – 4 are dependent on the templating anions and are tunable from green to orange and then to red by changing the template from CF₃CO₂⁻ to MoO₄²⁻ and to CrO₄²⁻, and this may be correlated to the charge transfer between these templates to metal atoms. This work helps to understand the templating role of heteroanions and the relationship between structure and properties.     

Silver Thiolate Nano‐sized Molecular Clusters and Their Supramolecular Covalent Frameworks: An Approach Toward Pre‐templated Synthesis

A series of seven new complexes including silver‐thiolate molecular clusters and their covalent supramolecular frameworks have been assembled from the silver carbide precursor Ag₂C₂ using a C₂²⁻ pre‐templated approach. Herein, two prototype clusters Ag₁₄(SR)₆ and CO₃@Ag_m (SR)₁₀ (R=isopropyl, cyclohexyl or tert ‐butyl; m= 18 or 20) are employed to construct cluster‐based metal–organic frameworks of different dimensions. In particular, both new ellipsoidal tetradecanuclear molecular cluster compounds, namely, Ag₁₄(S‐i Pr)₆(CO₂CF₃)₈⋅(DMSO)₆ (two polymorphic forms 1 , 2 ) and [Ag₁₄(S‐Cy)₆(CO₂CF₃)₈(DMSO)₄]⋅(DMSO)₃ ( 3 ), and a cluster‐based metal–organic framework {Ag₃[Ag₁₄(S‐i Pr)₆(CO₂CF₃)₁₁(H₂O)₃CH₃OH]⋅(H₂O)_2.5}_n ( 4 ) have been isolated and structurally characterized. Furthermore, increased acidity of the reaction mixture afforded three carboxylate‐templated cluster based frameworks: a chain‐like compound {[HN(CH₃)₂CO]⋅[CO₃@Ag₁₈(S‐t Bu)₁₀(NO₃)₇(DMF)₄]⋅DMF}_n ( 5 ), as well as two layer‐type compounds, namely, {Ag[CO₃@Ag₂₀(S‐i Pr)₁₀(CO₂CF₃)₉(CO₂HCF₃)(CH₃OH)₂]}_n ( 6 ) and {Ag₂[CO₃@Ag₂₀(S‐Cy)₁₀(CO₂CF₃)₁₀(CO₂HCF₃)₂(H₂O)₂]⋅(H₂O)₃⋅(CH₃OH)₃}_n ( 7 ) exhibiting sql ‐net characteristics. It is demonstrated that the C≡C²⁻ pre‐template, which draws several Ag⁺ ions together to form the C₂@Ag_n entity, plays an indispensable role in the syntheses of these compounds. Furthermore, covalent linkage of these nano‐sized silver thiolate clusters from one‐ to three‐dimensions revealed enormous potential for the future development of silver cluster‐based frameworks.     

Coordination Chemistry of Diiodine and Implications for the Oxidation Capacity of the Synergistic Ag+/X2 (X=Cl,Br, I) System

The synergistic Ag⁺/X₂ system (X=Cl, Br, I) is a very strong, but ill‐defined oxidant—more powerful than X₂ or Ag⁺ alone. Intermediates for its action may include [Ag_m(X₂)_n]^m+ complexes. Here, we report on an unexpectedly variable coordination chemistry of diiodine towards this direction: ( A )Ag‐I₂‐Ag( A ), [Ag₂(I₂)₄]²⁺( A ^?)₂ and [Ag₂(I₂)₆]²⁺( A ^?)₂?(I₂)_x≈0.65 form by reaction of Ag( A ) ( A =Al(OR^F)₄; R^F=C(CF₃)₃) with diiodine (single crystal/powder XRD, Raman spectra and quantum‐mechanical calculations). The molecular ( A )Ag‐I₂‐Ag( A ) is ideally set up to act as a 2 e^? oxidant with stoichiometric formation of 2 AgI and 2 A ^?. Preliminary reactivity tests proved this ( A )Ag‐I₂‐Ag( A ) starting material to oxidize n‐C₅H₁₂, C₃H₈, CH₂Cl₂, P₄ or S₈ at room temperature. A rough estimate of its electron affinity places it amongst very strong oxidizers like MF₆ (M=4d metals). This suggests that ( A )Ag‐I₂‐Ag( A ) will serve as an easily in bulk accessible, well‐defined, and very potent oxidant with multiple applications.     

Au57Ag53(C≡CPh)40Br12: A Large Nanocluster with C1 Symmetry

The controlled synthesis and structure determination of a bimetallic nanocluster Au₅₇Ag₅₃(C≡CPh)₄₀Br₁₂ (Au₅₇Ag₅₃) is presented. The metal core has a four‐shell Au₂M₃@Au₃₄@Ag₅₁ @Au₂₀ (M=1/3 Au+2/3 Ag) architecture. In contrast to the previously reported large nanoclusters that have highly symmetric kernel structures, the metal atoms in Au₅₇Ag₅₃ are arranged in an irregular manner with C₁ symmetry. This cluster exhibits excellent thermal stability and is robust under oxidative or basic conditions. The silver precursors play a key role in dictating the structures of the nanoclusters, which suggests the importance of the counteranions used.     

Rapid Conversion of a Au9Ag12 into a AuxAg16-x Nanocluster via Bisphosphine Ligand Engineering

The [Au_xAg_16-x(SAdm)₈(Dppe)₂] nanocluster with aggregation-induced emission (AIE) was synthesized from a non-fluorescent [Au₉Ag₁₂(SAdm)₄(Dppm)₆Cl₆](SbF₆)₃ nanocluster via a ligand-exchange engineering (Dppe=1,2-Bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane, Dppm=Bis(diphenylphosphino)methane, HSAdm=1-Adamantanethiol). The nanocluster has a Au-doped icosahedral Au_xAg_13-x core, capped by two Ag(SR)₃, one Ag(SR)₂ and two Dppe ligands. By changing the achiral Dppe ligand into a chiral dbpb ligand ((2S,3S)-(-)-Bis(diphenylphosphino)butane or (2R,3R)-(+)-2,3-Bis(diphenylphosphino)butane), chiral nanoclusters are obtained. ESI-MS and UV-vis spectroscopy were performed to track the reaction. This work provides guidance for the construction of new clusters by etching clusters with multidentate phosphine ligands.     

Structural Characterization of Some Coinage Metal(I) Thiosulfate Complexes, $\rm M^{1}_{a}M\rm ^{2}_{b}(X_{c}) (S_{2}O_{3})_{d}(\cdot eS)$ (M1 = Group 1 Cation,X = Univalent Anion,M2 = CuI,AgI, S = Solvent)

Building on previous single crystal X‐ray structure determinations for the group 1 salts of complex thiosulfate/univalent coinage metal anions previously defined for (NH₄)₉AgCl₂(S₂O₃)₄, NaAgS₂O₃·H₂O and Na₄[Cu(NH₃)₄][Cu(S₂O₃)₂]·NH₃, a wide variety of similar salts, of the form , M¹ = group 1 metal cation, M² = univalent coinage metal cation (Cu, Ag), (X = univalent anion), most previously known, but some not, have been isolated and subjected to similar determinations. These have defined further members of the isotypic, tetragonal series, for M¹ = NH₄, M² = Cu, Ag, X = NO₃, Cl, Br, I, together with the K/Cu/NO₃ complex, all containing the complex anion [M²(SSO₃)₄]^7? with M² in an environment of symmetry, Cu, Ag‐S typically ca. 2.37, 2.58Å, with quasi‐tetrahedral S‐M‐S angular environments. Further salts of the form , n = 1‐3, have also been defined: For n = 3, M² = Cu, M¹/x = K/2.25 or 1 5/6, NH₄/6, (and also for the (NH₄)₄Na/4H₂O·MeOH adduct) the arrays take the form with distorted trigonal planar CuS₃ coordination environments, Cu‐S distances being typically 2.21Å, S‐Cu‐S ranging between 105.31(4)–129.77(4)°; the silver counterparts take the form for M¹ = K, NH₄. For n = 2, adducts have only been defined for M² = Ag, the anions of the M¹ = Na, K adducts being dimeric and polymeric respectively: Na₆[(O₃SS)₂Ag(μ‐SSO₃)₂Ag(SSO₃)]·3H₂O, K₃[Ag(μ‐SSO₃)₂]_(∞|∞)·H₂O; a polymeric copper(I) counterpart of the latter is found in Na₅Cu(NO₃)₂(S₂O₃)₂ ≡ 2NaNO₃·Na₃[Cu(μ‐SSO₃)₂]_(∞|∞). For n = 1, NaAgS₂O₃, the an‐ and mono‐ hydrates, exhibit a two‐dimensional polymeric complex anion in both forms but with different contributing motifs. (NH₄)₁₃Ag₃(S₂O₃)₈·2H₂O takes the form (NH₄)₁₃[{(O₃SS)₃Ag(μ‐SSO₃)}₂Ag], a linearly coordinated central silver atom linking a pair of peripheral [Ag(SSO₃)₄]^7? entities. In Na₆[(O₃SS)Ag(μ‐SSO₃)₂Ag(SSO₃)]·3H₂O, the binuclear anions present as Ag₂S₄ sheets, the associated oxygen atoms being disposed to one side, thus sandwiching layers of sodium ions; the remarkable complex Na₅[Ag₃(S₂O₃)₄]_(∞|∞)·H₂O is a variant, in which one sodium atom is transformed into silver, linking the binuclear species into a one‐dimensional polymer. In (NH₄)₈[Cu₂(S₂O₃)₅]·2H₂O a binuclear anion of the form [(O₃SS)₂Cu(μ‐S.SO₃)Cu(SSO₃)₂]^8? is found; the complex (NH₄)₁₁Cu(S₂O₃)₆ is 2(NH₄)₂(S₂O₃)·(NH₄)₇[Cu(SSO₃)₄]. A novel new hydrate of sodium thiosulfate is described, 4Na₄S₂O₃·5H₂O, largely describable as sheets of the salt, shrouded in water molecules to either side, together with a redetermination of the structure of 3K₂S₂O₃·H₂O.     

Alternating Array Stacking of Ag26Au and Ag24Au Nanoclusters

An assembly strategy for metal nanoclusters using electrostatic interactions with weak interactions, such as C?H???π and π???π interactions in which cationic [Ag₂₆Au(2‐EBT)₁₈(PPh₃)₆]⁺ and anionic [Ag₂₄Au(2‐EBT)₁₈]^? nanoclusters gather and assemble in an unusual alternating array stacking structure is presented. [Ag₂₆Au(2‐EBT)₁₈(PPh₃)₆]⁺ [Ag₂₄Au(2‐EBT)₁₈]^? is a new compound type, a double nanocluster ion compound (DNIC). A single nanocluster ion compound (SNIC) [PPh₄]⁺ [Ag₂₄Au(2‐EBT)₁₈]^? was also synthesized, having a k‐vector‐differential crystallographic arrangement. [PPh₄]⁺ [Ag₂₄Au(2,4‐DMBT)₁₈]^? adopts a different assembly mode from both [Ag₂₆Au(2‐EBT)₁₈(PPh₃)₆]⁺ [Ag₂₄Au(2‐EBT)₁₈]^? and [PPh₄]⁺ [Ag₂₄Au(2‐EBT)₁₈]^?. Thus, the striking packing differences of [Ag₂₆Au(2‐EBT)₁₈(PPh₃)₆]⁺ [Ag₂₄Au(2‐EBT)₁₈]^?, [PPh₄]⁺ [Ag₂₄Au(2‐EBT)₁₈]^? and the existing [PPh₄]⁺ [Ag₂₄Au(2,4‐DMBT)₁₈]^? from each other indicate the notable influence of ligands and counterions on the self‐assembly of nanoclusters.     

Ag Doped Au44 Nanoclusters for Electrocatalytic Conversion of CO2 to CO

A novel Ag doped Au₄₄(C₁₀H₉)₂₈ nanocluster (C₁₀H₁₀=1-ethynyl-2,4-dimethylbenzene) was synthesized, that is, Ag_4+xAu_40-x(C₁₀H₉)₂₈ (x≤6), where four Ag positions located in the surface staple of the cluster have been determined, while six Au/Ag co-occupying positions have been found in the metal core of the cluster. The electronic configuration of Au₄₄(C₁₀H₉)₂₈ cluster is significantly disturbed by doping Ag atoms, hence promoting the electron transport capability. For the two-electron conversion reaction of CO₂ to CO in electrochemical reduction of CO₂, Ag doped Ag_4+xAu_40-x(C₁₀H₉)₂₈ catalyst exhibited higher effective activity and long-term stability than its counterpart Au₄₄(C₁₀H₉)₂₈ catalyst.     

Identification of an Eight-Electron Superatomic Cluster and Its Alloy in One Co-crystal Structure

Herein we report a crystal structure of [Au_0.5Ag_0.5@Ag₂₀{S₂P(OⁱPr)₂}₁₂](PF₆) [Cl@Ag₈{S₂P(OⁱPr)₂}₆](PF₆) (1), which compositions were supported by positive-mode electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. The structural elucidation indicates that the encapsulated atom of an Ag₁₃ the entered icosahedron can be replaced by a gold atom. Surprisingly, the capping Ag atoms on the surface of an icosahedron in 1 reveal a different arrangement from the previously reported [Ag₂₁{S₂P(OⁱPr)₂}₁₂](PF₆) of C₃ symmetry. Besides, the preference for the central silver atom being oxidized by Au(I) is rationalized by the DFT calculations on three different computed [AuAg₂₀{S₂PH₂}₁₂]⁺ models having C₁, C₃, and T symmetry, respectively.