The Magic Au60 Nanocluster: A New Cluster‐Assembled Material with Five Au13 Building Blocks

Herein, we report the synthesis and atomic structure of the cluster‐assembled Au₆₀Se₂(Ph₃P)₁₀(SeR)₁₅]⁺ material. Five icosahedral Au₁₃ building blocks from a closed gold ring with Au–Se–Au linkages. Interestingly, two Se atoms (without the phenyl tail) locate in the center of the cluster, stabilized by the Se‐(Au)₅ interactions. The ring‐like nanocluster is unprecedented in previous experimental and theoretical studies of gold nanocluster structures. In addition, our optical and electrochemical studies show that the electronic properties of the icosahedral Au₁₃ units still remain unchanged in the penta‐twinned Au₆₀ nanocluster, and this new material might be a promising in optical limiting material. This work offers a basis for deep understanding on controlling the cluster‐assembled materials for tailoring their functionalities.