An Atomic‐Level Strategy for Unraveling Gold Nanocatalysis from the Perspective of Aun(SR)m Nanoclusters

An atomic‐level strategy is devised to gain insight into the origin of nanogold catalysis by using atomically monodisperse Au_n(SR)_m nanoclusters as well‐defined catalysts for styrene oxidation. The Au_n(SR)_m nanoclusters are emerging as a new class of gold nanocatalyst to overcome the polydispersity of conventional nanoparticle catalysts. The unique atom‐packing structure and electronic properties of Au_n(SR)_m nanoclusters (<2 nm) are rationalized to be responsible for their extraordinary catalytic activity observed in styrene oxidation. An interesting finding is that quantum size effects of Au_n(SR)_m nanoclusters, rather than the higher specific surface area, play a major role in gold‐catalyzed selective oxidation of styrene. For example, Au₂₅(SR)₁₈ nanoclusters (≈1 nm) are found to be particularly efficient in activating O₂, which is a key step in styrene oxidation, and hence, the ultrasmall Au₂₅ catalyst exhibits higher activity than do larger sizes. This atomic‐level strategy has allowed us to obtain an important insight into some fundamental aspects of nanogold catalysis in styrene oxidation. The ultrasmall yet robust Au_n(SR)_m nanoclusters are particularly promising for studying the mechanistic aspects of nanogold catalysis and for future design of better catalysts with high activity and selectivity for certain chemical processes.     

Mass-spectrometric study of the formation of silver nanoclusters in polyethers: I. Laser desorption/ionization

Within the framework of a problem of the synthesis of silver nanoparticles and Ag _n nanoclusters in polyethers, the systems containing silver nitrate AgNO₃ and the low-molecular-weight polyethers poly(ethylene glycol) PEG-400 and oxyethylated glycerol OEG-5, in which silver ions were reduced, were studied by laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry. The occurrence of Ag _n silver nanoclusters with n up to 35 in the systems was detected. For n > 2, the presence of ??magic numbers?? was observed; that is, positively charged Ag _n ⁺ clusters with predominantly odd values of n were detected. Negatively charged Ag _n clusters with n = 1?C3 were also detected. It was shown that one of the expected processes, namely, the formation of the stable clusters of polyether oligomers (M _m ) with the silver cation M _m · Ag⁺, took place in the test systems.     

Mass-spectrometric study of the formation of silver nanoclusters in polyether media: 2. Fast atom bombardment and modeling

Within the problem of the synthesis of silver nanoclusters and nanoparticles in polyether media, systems containing silver nitrate AgNO₃ and low-molecular-weight polyethers, poly(ethylene glycol) PEG-400 or oxyethylated glycerol OEG-5, were studied by fast atom bombardment (FAB) mass spectrometry. The formation of stable clusters of polyether oligomers (M _m ) with silver cations M _m · Ag⁺ was shown, in agreement with the previous data of laser desorption/ionization. Quantum-chemical DFT calculations have shown that the M _m · Ag⁺ clusters are stabilized by wrapping of the polyether chain around the silver cation with the cation coordinating ether oxygen atoms. Silver nanoclusters were not found in the FAB mass spectra of liquid systems, but Ag _n ⁺ clusters were detected for silver nanoparticles separated from the reaction medium. No products of chemical transformations of PEG-400 or OEG-5 were observed by FAB. A plausible mechanism of the reduction of silver cations involving nitrate anions is discussed.     

Mass Spectrometric Detection of Charged Silver Nanoclusters with Hydrogen Inclusions Formed by the Reduction of AgNO<Subscript>3</Subscript> in Ethylene Glycol

In the problem of the production silver nanoparticles, mass spectrometry allows one to identify nanoclusters as nuclei or intermediates in the synthesis of nanoparticles and to understand the mechanisms of their formation. Using low-temperature secondary emission mass spectrometry, we determined the cluster composition of a system formed in the microwave treatment of a solution of AgNO₃ in ethylene glycol (M). Along with silver ion–ethylene glycol associates М _m ? Ag⁺ (m = 1–5) and small silver clusters AgM _n ⁺ (n = 1–9), unusual silver clusters with one hydrogen atom [Ag _n H]⁺ (n = 2, 4) were observed. Possible pathways for the formation of silver nanoparticles taking into account hydrogen-containing cluster intermediates are discussed.     

Atomically Precise Alloy Nanoclusters

Metal nanoclusters (NCs) have a particle size of about one nanometer, which makes them the smallest unit that can give a function to a substance. In addition, metal NCs possess physical and chemical properties that are different from those of the corresponding bulk metals. Metal NCs with such characteristics are expected to be important for use in nanotechnology. Research on the precise synthesis of metal NCs and elucidation of their physical/chemical properties and functions is being actively conducted. When metal NCs are alloyed, it is possible to obtain further various electronic and geometrical structures and functions. Thus, research on alloy NCs has become a hot topic in the study of metal NCs and the number of publications on alloy NCs has increased explosively in recent years. Such publications have provided much insight into the effects of alloying on the electronic structure and function of metal NCs. However, the rapid increase in knowledge has made it difficult for researchers (especially those new to the field) to grasp all of it. Therefore, in this review, we summarize the reported chemical composition, geometrical structure, electronic structure, and physical and chemical properties of Au_n−xM_x(SR)_m, Ag_n−xM_x(SR)_m, Au_n−xM_x(PR₃)_l(SR)_m, and Ag_n−xM_x(PR₃)_l(SR)_m (Au=gold, Ag=silver, M=heteroatom, PR₃=phosphine, and SR=thiolate) NCs. This review is expected to help researchers understand the characteristics of alloy NCs and lead to clear design guidelines to develop new alloy NCs with intended functions.     

Ligand-Protected Ultrasmall Pd Nanoclusters Supported on Metal Oxide Surfaces for CO Oxidation: Does the Ligand Activate or Passivate the Pd Nanocatalyst?

Herein, we report on the synthesis of ultrasmall Pd nanoclusters (∼2 nm) protected by L-cysteine [HOCOCH(NH₂)CH₂SH] ligands (Pd_n(L-Cys)_m) and supported on the surfaces of CeO₂, TiO₂, Fe₃O₄, and ZnO nanoparticles for CO catalytic oxidation. The Pd_n(L-Cys)_m nanoclusters supported on the reducible metal oxides CeO₂, TiO₂ and Fe₃O₄ exhibit a remarkable catalytic activity towards CO oxidation, significantly higher than the reported Pd nanoparticle catalysts. The high catalytic activity of the ligand-protected clusters Pd_n(L-Cys)_m is observed on the three reducible oxides where 100 % CO conversion occurs at 93–110 °C. The high activity is attributed to the ligand-protected Pd nanoclusters where the L-cysteine ligands aid in achieving monodispersity of the Pd clusters by limiting the cluster size to the active sub-2-nm region and decreasing the tendency of the clusters for agglomeration. In the case of the ceria support, a complete removal of the L-cysteine ligands results in connected agglomerated Pd clusters which are less reactive than the ligand-protected clusters. However, for the TiO₂ and Fe₃O₄ supports, complete removal of the ligands from the Pd_n(L-Cys)_m clusters leads to a slight decrease in activity where the T_100% CO conversion occurs at 99 °C and 107 °C, respectively. The high porosity of the TiO₂ and Fe₃O₄ supports appears to aid in efficient encapsulation of the bare Pd_n nanoclusters within the mesoporous pores of the support.     

Au10(TBBT)10: the Begining and the End of Aun(TBBT)m Nanoclusters

Gold(I) thiolate compounds (i.e. Au^I-SR) are important precursors for the synthesis of atomically precise Au_n(SR)_m nanoclusters. However, the nature of the Au^I-SR precursor remains elusive. Here, we report that the Au₁₀(TBBT)₁₀ complex is a universal precursor for the synthesis of Au_n(TBBT)_m nanoclusters (where TBBT=4-tertbutylbenzenethiol/thiolate). Interestingly, the Au₁₀(TBBT)₁₀ complex is also found to be re-generated through extended etching of the Au_n(SR)_m nanoclusters with excess of TBBT thiol and O₂. The formation of well-defined Au₁₀(TBBT)₁₀ complex, instead of polymeric Au^I-SR, is attributed to the bulkiness of the TBBT thiol. Through 1D and 2D NMR characterization, the structure of Au₁₀(TBBT)₁₀ is correlated with the previously reported X-ray structure, which contains two inter-penetrated Au₅(TBBT)₅ rings. The photophysical property of Au₁₀(TBBT)₁₀ complex is further probed by femtosecond transient absorption spectroscopy. The accessibility of the precise Au₁₀(TBBT)₁₀ precursor improves the efficiency of the synthesis of the Au_n(TBBT)_m nanoclusters and is expected to further facilitate excellent control and understanding of the reaction mechanisms of nanocluster synthesis.     

Exploring the Interactions of Atomic Oxygen on Silver Clusters with Hydrogen

The interactions between Ag_nO^-(n=1-8) and H₂ (or D₂) were explored by combination of the mass spectroscopy experiments and density function theory (DFT) calculations. The experiments found that all oxygen atoms in Ag_nO^-(n=1-8) are inert in the interactions with H₂ or D₂ at the low temperature of 150 K, which is in contrast to their high reactivity with CO under the same condition. These observations are parallel with the preferential oxidation (PROX) of CO in excess hydrogen catalyzed by dispersed silver species in the condensed phase. Possible reaction paths between Ag_nO^-(n=1-8) and H₂ were explored using DFT calculations. The results indicated that adsorption of H₂ on any site of Ag_nO^-(n=1-8) is extremely weak, and oxidation of H₂ by any kind of oxygen in Ag_nO^-(n=1-8) has an apparent barrier strongly dependent on the adsorption style of the "O". These experiments and theoretical results about cluster reactions provided molecule-level insights into the activity of atomic oxygen on real silver catalysts.     

Synthetic,characterization and catalytic studies of some coordination compounds derived from unsymmetrical quadridentate Schiff base ligand

The stable complexes of VO(IV), Cr(III), Mn(III), Fe(III), MoO₂(VI), and WO₂(VI), with an unsymmetrical tetradentate Schiff base ligand derived from 2-hydroxy-5-methylacetophenone, 2-hydroxy-5-chloroacetophenone and carbohydrazide were synthesized and characterized by the elemental analysis, UV-Vis and IR spectroscopy, magnetic measurements and thermal analysis. The VO(IV) and Mn(III) complexes were tested for the catalytic oxidation of styrene. The conversion of styrene increases with use of VO(IV) catalyst and decreases with use of Mn(III) catalyst.     

Silver-halogen cluster compounds Ag n X m (n≥2; 0≤m≤n;X=F,Br)

Nonstoichiometric silver-halogen cluster compounds Ag _n X _m (0≤m≤n;X=F, Br) are generated by cocondensation of Ag atoms and AgX species using a slightly modified gas aggregation technique. The AgX molecules are produced by partial decomposition of SF₆ and Br₂ respectively at the surface of the hot silver containing crucible, followed by the reaction of halogen atoms with silver, giving rise to the formation of AgX molecules. In a heterogeneous nucleation between these molecules and evaporated Ag atoms the afore mentioned cluster compounds are formed. The degree of halogenation can either be controlled by the adjustment of the silver evaporation rate, or even more easily by controlling the partial pressure of the halogenating agent. The mass spectra of singly charged halogenated clusters, which are generated by electron impact ionization, reflect the stability of ions. These mass spectra demonstrate that there is an alternation in the intensity pattern up to a relatively high degree of halogenation (m) for each of the investigated compound series Ag _n X _m ,n≤8. This behavior is similar to the well-known odd-even effect for pure metal clusters, allowing us to postulate the existence of a “metallic” core which governs the stability of the cluster ion (at least for not too high degree of halogenation).     

Disc-Like Silver Nanocluster Ag93 Built with Bicapped Hexagonal Prismatic Ag15 and Ino Decahedral Ag13 Units

The reduction of alkynyl-silver and phosphine-silver precursors with a weak reducing reagent Ph₂SiH₂ led to the formation of a novel silver nanocluster [Ag₉₃(PPh₃)₆(C≡CR)₅₀]³⁺ (R=4-CH₃OC₆H₄), which is the largest structurally characterized cluster of clusters. This disc-shaped cluster has a Ag₆₉ kernel consisting of a bicapped hexagonal prismatic Ag₁₅ unit wrapped by six Ino decahedra through edge-sharing. This is the first time that Ino decahedra are used as a building block to assemble a cluster of clusters. Moreover, the central silver atom has a coordination number of 14, which is the highest in metal nanoclusters. This work provides a diverse metal packing pattern in metal nanoclusters, which is helpful for understanding metal cluster assembling mechanisms.     

Adamantyl‐ and Furanyl‐Protected Nanoscale Silver Sulfide Clusters

The silver salts of 1‐adamantanethiol (AdSH) and furan‐2‐ylmethanethiol (FurCH₂SH) were successfully applied as building blocks for ligand‐protected Ag₂S nanoclusters. The reaction of the silver thiolates [AgSAd]_x and [AgSCH₂Fur]_x with S(SiMe₃)₂ and 1,5‐bis(diphenylphosphino)pentane (dpppt) afforded three different clusters with 58, 94 and, 190 silver atoms. The intensely colored compounds [Ag₅₈S₁₃(SAd)₃₂] ( 1 ), [Ag₉₄S₃₄(SAd)₂₆(dpppt)₆] ( 2 ), and [Ag₁₉₀S₅₈(SCH₂Fur)₇₄(dpppt)₈] ( 3 ) were structurally characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction and exhibit different cluster core geometries and ligand shells. The diameters of the well‐defined sphere‐shaped nanoclusters range from 2.2 nm to 3.5 nm.     

A novel two-dimensional silver(I) saccharinato coordination polymer constructed from weak Ag?C interactions: Synthesis, IR spectra and X-ray structure

A new dinuclear silver(I)-saccharinato (sac) complex with acetonitrile (MeCN), [Ag₂(sac)₂(MeCN)₂]_n has been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectroscopy and single crystal X-ray diffraction. The silver(I) ions are doubly bridged by two sac ligands, leading to a short argentophilic contact of 2.9074(3) Å. Each silver(I) ion exhibits a square-planar coordination geometry including the Ag-Ag bonds. The individual dimeric molecules are extended into a two-dimensional layered structure by weak Ag?C_sac (η²) interactions of ca. 3.2 Å. These interactions were discussed and compared with those found in the first silver(I)-sac complex [Ag(sac)]_n.     

Antimicrobial and Anticancer Application of Silver(I) Dipeptide Complexes

Three silver(I) dipeptide complexes [Ag(GlyGly)]_n(NO₃)_n (AgGlyGly), [Ag₂(GlyAla)(NO₃)₂]_n (AgGlyAla) and [Ag₂(HGlyAsp)(NO₃)]_n (AgGlyAsp) were prepared, investigated and characterized by vibrational spectroscopy (mid-IR), elemental and thermogravimetric analysis and mass spectrometry. For AgGlyGly, X-ray crystallography was also performed. Their stability in biological testing media was verified by time-dependent NMR measurements. Their in vitro antimicrobial activity was evaluated against selected pathogenic microorganisms. Moreover, the influence of silver(I) dipeptide complexes on microbial film formation was described. Further, the cytotoxicity of the complexes against selected cancer cells (BLM, MDA-MB-231, HeLa, HCT116, MCF-7 and Jurkat) and fibroblasts (BJ-5ta) using a colorimetric MTS assay was tested, and the selectivity index (SI) was identified. The mechanism of action of Ag(I) dipeptide complexes was elucidated and discussed by the study in terms of their binding affinity toward the CT DNA, the ability to cleave the DNA and the ability to influence numbers of cells within each cell cycle phase. The new silver(I) dipeptide complexes are able to bind into DNA by noncovalent interaction, and the topoisomerase I inhibition study showed that the studied complexes inhibit its activity at a concentration of 15 μM.     

Theoretical study of the geometry and electronic structure of the trinuclear [AunAgm (HNCOH)3] (m + n = 3) complex

The structures and properties of different gold and silver mixed-metal trinuclear complexes, [Au_nAg_m(HNCOH)₃] (m + n = 3), were investigated theoretically. The computed properties were compared with those of the [Au₃(HNCOH)₃] complex. The geometries of all complexes were optimized at the B3LYP level of theory using the GEN basis set. The optimization results revealed that the most stable structures of pure Au and Ag complexes are almost similar. In addition, all complexes are flat and highly symmetric. It was shown that the silver substitution had a significant influence on the electronic properties. The metal–metal distances were in the order of: Au–Au < Au–Ag < Ag–Ag. The ionization potential and hardness were found to be decreased while the electron affinity, HOMO–LUMO gap and chemical potential were found to be increased from the [Au₃(HNCOH)₃] to the [Ag₃(HNCOH)₃] complex. The [Au₃(HNCOH)₃] complex was the least reactive in the studied series with the electronic chemical potential equal to −3.98 eV. On the other hand, the value of the chemical potential characterizing the most reactive complex, [Ag₃(HNCOH)₃], was −3.80 eV.     

Electron impact and single photon ionization cross sections of neutral silver clusters

Neutral silver atoms and small clusters Ag _n (n=1...4) were generated by sputtering, i.e. by bombarding a polycrystalline silver surface with Ar⁺ ions of 5 keV. The sputtered particles were ionized by a crossed electron beam and subsequently detected by a quadrupole mass spectrometer. In alternative to the electron impact ionization, the same neutral species were also ionized by single photon absorption from a pulsed VUV laser (photon energy 7.9 eV), and the photoionization cross sections were evaluated from the laser intensity dependence of the measured signals. By in situ combining both ionization mechanisms, absolute values of the ratio σ _e (Ag _n )/σ _e (Ag) between the electron impact ionization cross sections of silver clusters and atoms could be determined for a fixed electron energy of 46 eV. These values can then be used to calibrate previously measured relative ionization functions. By calibrating the results using literature data measured for silver atoms, we present absolute cross sections for electron impact ionization of neutral Ag₂, Ag₃ and Ag₄ as a function of the electron energy between threshold and 125 eV.     

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.     

Controlled growth of molecularly pure Au25(SR)18 and Au38(SR)24 nanoclusters from the same polydispersed crude product

We report the controlled growth of Au25(SR)18 and Au38 (SR)24 (where R = CH2CH2Ph) nanoclusters of molecular purity via size-focusing from the same crude product that contains a distribution of nanoclusters. In this method, gold salt was first mixed with tetraoctylammonium bromide (TOAB), and then reacted with excess thiol to form Au(I)-SR polymers in THF (as opposed to toluene in previous work), followed by NaBH 4 reduction. The resultant crude product contains polydisperse nanoclusters and was then used as the common starting material for controlled growth of Au25(SR)18 and Au38(SR)24 , respectively. In Route I, Au25(SR)18 nanoclusters of molecular purify were produced from the crude product after 6 h aging at room temperature. In Route II, the crude product was isolated and further subjected to thermal thiol etching in a toluene solution containing excess thiol, and one obtained pure Au38(SR)24 nanoclusters, instead of Au25(SR)18 . This work not only provides a robust and simple method to prepare both Au25(SR)18 and Au38(SR)24 nanoclusters, but also reveals that these two nanoclusters require different environments for the size-focusing growth process.     

Effect of Mn(II) and Ce(IV) Ions on the Oxidation of Lactic Acid by Chromic Acid

The kinetics and mechanism of lactic acid oxidation in the presence of Mn(II) and Ce(IV) ions by chromic acid were studied spectrophotometrically. The oxidation of lactic acid by Cr(VI) was found to proceed in two measurable steps, both of which gave pyruvic acid as the primary product in the absence of Mn(II). 2Cr(VI)+2CH₃CHOHCOOH → 2CH₃COCOOH+Cr(V)+Cr(III) Cr(V)+CH₃CHOHCOOH → Cr(III)+CH₃COCOOHThe observed kinetics was explained due to the catalytic and inhibitory effects of Mn(II) and Ce(IV) on the lactic acid oxidation by Cr(VI). The reactivity of lactic acid depends upon the experimental conditions. It acts as a two-or three-equivalent reducing agent in the absence or presence of Mn(II). It was examined that Cr(III) products resulting from the direct reduction of Cr(VI) by three-equivalent reducing agents. The oxidation of lactic acid follows the complex order kinetics with respect to [lactic acid]. The activation parameters E_a, ΔH^#, and ΔS^# were calculated and discussed.     

Local Geometric Effects on Stability and Energy Gap of Thiolate‐Protected Gold Nanoparticles

Thiolate‐protected gold nanoclusters, Au_m(SR)_n, have potential applications in many fields due to their high stability and remarkable electronic properties. However, the controlling factors in determining the stability and HOMO–LUMO gap of Au_m(SR)_n remain controversial, despite decades of work on the topic. Through DFT calculations, including nonlocal many‐body dispersion (MBD) interactions, the geometric and electronic properties of Au_m(SR)_n clusters are investigated. Calculations demonstrate that the MBD interactions are essential for correctly describing the geometry and energy of the clusters. Greater anisotropic polarization and more atoms distributed in the shell of the clusters lead to more pronounced MBD interactions and higher stability of the clusters. Furthermore, the HOMO–LUMO gap of the clusters strongly depends on the gold core. These results provide critical clues for understanding and designing Au_m(SR)_n clusters.