The Structural Diversity Triggered by Intermolecular Interactions between Au(I) S(2) Groups: Aurophilia and Beyond

The present study is aimed at elucidating the factors that direct the assembly of a specific family of Au(I) species. The assembly of Au(I) centers and dithiocarboxylato or xanthato ligands results in a surprising structural diversity observed by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. However, in solution, just evidences for discrete bimetallic [Au(2) L(2) ] species have been observed. Interestingly, when dithiocarboxylato ligands have been used, a reversible supramolecular assembly has been observed forming the supramolecules of formulae [Au(2) L(2) ](2) and [Au(2) L(2) ](3) . Initial studies on luminescent properties have been carried out at variable temperature. All the compounds show red emissions in the solid state at very similar energies, suggesting that the intramolecular interactions play a more relevant role in the luminescent properties than the intermolecular ones. The computational studies indicate that not only Au???Au interactions, but also Au???S and S???S ones play a role in the structure and energetic of the supramolecular species, as well as for the choice between supramolecular association or intramolecular oligomerization.     

Aurophilic Interactions in the Self‐Assembly of Gold Nanoclusters into Nanoribbons with Enhanced Luminescence

Aurophilic interactions (Au^I???Au^I) are crucial in directing the supramolecular self‐assembly of many gold(I) compounds; however, this intriguing chemistry has been rarely explored for the self‐assembly of nanoscale building blocks. Herein, we report on studies on aurophilic interactions in the structure‐directed self‐assembly of ultrasmall gold nanoparticles or nanoclusters (NCs, <2 nm) using [Au₂₅(SR)₁₈]^? (SR=thiolate ligand) as a model cluster. The self‐assembly of NCs is initiated by surface‐motif reconstruction of [Au₂₅(SR)₁₈]^? from short SR‐[Au^I‐SR]₂ units to long SR‐[Au^I‐SR]_x (x>2) staples accompanied by structure modification of the intrinsic Au₁₃ kernel. Such motif reconstruction increases the content of Au^I species in the protecting shell of Au NCs, providing the structural basis for directed aurophilic interactions, which promote the self‐assembly of Au NCs into well‐defined nanoribbons in solution. More interestingly, the compact structure and effective aurophilic interactions in the nanoribbons significantly enhance the luminescence intensity of Au NCs with an absolute quantum yield of 6.2 % at room temperature.     

The nature of the AuI ... AuI Interactions between Cationic [AuL2]+ Complexes in the Solid State

The interaction energy of a [Au{C(NHMe)₂}₂]⁺ ... [Au{C(NHMe)₂}₂]⁺ dimer is investigated using the MP2 method and the LANL2DZ basis set when isolated or embedded in ionic an [Au{C(NHMe)₂}₂]₂anion₂ aggregate, a good model for the environment that these dimers feel in ionic crystals. A repulsive interaction energy is obtained when the dimer is isolated. However, it is possible to find short Au^I ... Au^I separations in [Au{C(NHMe)₂}₂]₂anion₂ aggregates, because in these aggregates the sum of the cation ... anion interactions overweight the sum of the cation ... cation plus anion...anion interactions. This explains why short Au^I ... Au^I separations are found in ionic crystals. The Au^I ... Au^I interaction found in [Au{C(NHMe)₂}₂]₂ anion₂ aggregates shows the same features observed in energetically stable dimers presenting Au^I... Au^I bonds. This makes appropriate to use the name counterion-mediated bonds for the Au^I... Au^I interactions found in [Au{C(NHMe)₂}₂]₂ anion₂ aggregates and ionic crystals.     

Anion‐, Solvent‐, Temperature‐, and Mechano‐Responsive Photoluminescence in Gold(I) Diphosphine‐Based Dimers

A series of [Au₂(nixantphos)₂](X)₂ (nixantphos=4,6‐bis(diphenylphosphino)‐phenoxazine; X=NO₃, 1 ; CF₃COO, 2 ; CF₃SO₃, 3 ; [Au(CN)₂], 4 ; and BF₄, 5 ) complexes that exhibit intriguing anion‐switchable and stimuli‐responsive luminescent photophysical properties have been synthesized and characterized. Depending on their anions, these complexes display yellow ( 3 ), orange ( 4 and 5 ), and red ( 1 and 2 ) emission colors. They exhibit reversible thermo‐, mechano‐, and vapochromic luminescence changes readily perceivable by the naked eye. Single‐crystal X‐ray studies show that the [Au₂(nixantphos)₂]²⁺ cations with short intramolecular Au ??? Au interactions are involved as donors in an infinite N?H ??? X (X=O and N) hydrogen‐bonded chain formation with CF₃COO^? ( 2 C ) and aurophilically linked [Au(CN)₂]^? counterions ( 4 C ). Both crystals show thermochromic luminescence; their room temperature red ( 2 C ) and orange ( 4 C ) emission turns into yellow upon cooling to 77 K. They also exhibit reversible mechanochromic luminescence by changing their emission color from red to dark ( 2 C ), and orange to red ( 4 C ). Compounds 1 – 5 also display reversible mechanochromic luminescence, altering their emission colors between orange ( 1 ) or red ( 2 ) to dark, as well as between yellow ( 3 ) or orange ( 4 and 5 ) to red. Detailed photophysical investigations and correlation with solid‐state structural data established the significant role of N?H ??? X interactions in the stimuli‐responsive luminescent behavior.     

Bimetallic Au2Cu6 Nanoclusters: Strong Luminescence Induced by the Aggregation of Copper(I) Complexes with Gold(0) Species

The concept of aggregation‐induced emission (AIE) has been exploited to render non‐luminescent Cu^ISR complexes strongly luminescent. The Cu^ISR complexes underwent controlled aggregation with Au⁰. Unlike previous AIE methods, our strategy does not require insoluble solutions or cations. X‐ray crystallography validated the structure of this highly fluorescent nanocluster: Six thiolated Cu atoms are aggregated by two Au atoms (Au₂Cu₆ nanoclusters). The quantum yield of this nanocluster is 11.7 %. DFT calculations imply that the fluorescence originates from ligand (aryl groups on the phosphine) to metal (Cu^I) charge transfer (LMCT). Furthermore, the aggregation is affected by the restriction of intramolecular rotation (RIR), and the high rigidity of the outer ligands enhances the fluorescence of the Au₂Cu₆ nanoclusters. This study thus presents a novel strategy for enhancing the luminescence of metal nanoclusters (by the aggregation of active metal complexes with inert metal atoms), and also provides fundamental insights into the controllable synthesis of highly luminescent metal nanoclusters.     

Formation of the ionic gold(III) complex [Au3{S2CN(CH2)4O}6][Au2Cl8][AuCl4] in chemisorption systems [M{S2CN(CH2)4O}2] n -[AuCl4]−/2 M HCl (M = Cd, Zn): Supramolecular structure and thermal behavior

The interaction of freshly precipitated cadmium and zinc morpholinedithiocarbamates with solutions of AuCl₃ in 2 M HCl is studied. In both cases, the heterogeneous reactions of gold(III) binding from solutions lead to the formation of the ionic gold(III) complex [Au₃{S₂CN(CH₂)₄O}₆][Au₂Cl₈][AuCl₄] (I), whose molecular and supramolecular structures are determined by X-ray diffraction analysis. Compound I includes centrosymmetric and noncentrosymmetric cations [Au{S₂CN(CH₂)₄O}₂]⁺ in a ratio of 1: 2. According to the manifested structural differences, the complex cations are related as conformers (cations A are Au(1) and cations B are Au(2)). At the supramolecular level, the isomeric cations form linear trinuclear structural fragments [Au₃{S₂CN(CH₂)₄O}₆]³⁺ [A...B...A] due to secondary bonds Au...S of 3.6364 Å. The anionic part of compound I is presented by [AuCl₄]^? and centrosymmetric binuclear [Au₂Cl₈]^2?, whose formation involved secondary bonds Au...Cl of 3.486 and 3.985 Å. The ultimate chemisorption capacity of cadmium and zinc morpholinedithiocarbamates calculated from the binding of gold(III) is 901.7 and 1010.4 mg of Au³⁺ per 1 g of the sorbent, respectively (i.e., each miononuclear fragment of the chemisorption complexes [M{S₂CN(CH₂)₄O}₂] participates in binding of two gold atoms). To establish the conditions for the isolation of bound gold, the thermal properties of compound I are studied by simultaneous thermal analysis. The thermal destruction process includes the thermolysis of the dithiocarbamate part of the complex and anions [AuCl₄]^? and [Au₂Cl₈]^2? with the reduction of gold to the metal, being the only final product of the thermal transformations of compound I.     

The 3[ndσ*(n+1)pσ] Emissions of Linear Silver(I) and Gold(I) Chains with Bridging Phosphine Ligands

The complexes [Au₃(dcmp)₂][X]₃ {dcmp=bis(dicyclohexylphosphinomethyl)cyclohexylphosphine; X=Cl^? ( 1 ), ClO₄^? ( 2 ), OTf^? ( 3 ), PF₆^? ( 4 ), SCN^?( 5 )}, [Ag₃(dcmp)₂][ClO₄]₃ ( 6 ), and [Ag₃(dcmp)₂Cl₂][ClO₄] ( 7 ) were prepared and their structures were determined by X‐ray crystallography. Complexes 2 – 4 display a high‐energy emission band with λ_max at 442–452 nm, whereas 1 and 5 display a low‐energy emission with λ_max at 558–634 nm in both solid state and in dichloromethane at 298 K. The former is assigned to the ³[5dσ*6pσ] excited state of [Au₃(dcmp)₂]³⁺, whereas the latter is attributed to an exciplex formed between the ³[5dσ*6pσ] excited state of [Au₃(dcmp)₂]³⁺ and the counterions. In solid state, complex [Ag₃(dcmp)₂][ClO₄]₃ ( 6 ) displays an intense emission band at 375 nm with a Stokes shift of ≈7200 cm^?1 from the ¹[4dσ*→5pσ] absorption band at 295 nm. The 375 nm emission band is assigned to the emission directly from the ³[4dσ^*5pσ] excited state of 6 . Density functional theory (DFT) calculations revealed that the absorption and emission energies are inversely proportional to the number of metal ions (n) in polynuclear Au^I and Ag^I linear chain complexes without close metal???anion contacts. The emission energies are extrapolated to be 715 and 446 nm for the infinite linear Au^I and Ag^I chains, respectively, at metal???metal distances of about 2.93–3.02 Å. A QM/MM calculation on the model [Au₃(dcmp)₂Cl₂]⁺ system, with Au???Cl contacts of 2.90–3.10 Å, gave optimized Au???Au distances of 2.99–3.11 Å in its lowest triplet excited state and the emission energies were calculated to be at approximately 600–690 nm, which are assigned to a three‐coordinate Au^I site with its spectroscopic properties affected by Au^I???Au^I interactions.     

Unraveling the Impact of Gold(I)–Thiolate Motifs on the Aggregation-Induced Emission of Gold Nanoclusters

Aggregation-induced emission (AIE) provides an efficient strategy to synthesize highly luminescent metal nanoclusters (NCs), however, rational control of emission energy and intensity of metal NCs is still challenging. This communication reveals the impact of surface Au^I-thiolate motifs on the AIE properties of Au NCs, by employing a series of water-soluble glutathione (GSH)-coordinated Au complexes and NCs as a model ([Au₁₀SR₁₀], [Au₁₅SR₁₃], [Au₁₈SR₁₄], and [Au₂₅SR₁₈]⁻, SR=thiolate ligand). Spectroscopic investigations show that the emission wavelength of Au NCs is adjustable from visible to the near-infrared II (NIR-II) region by controlling the length of the Au^I-SR motifs on the NC surface. Decreasing the length of Au^I-SR motifs also changes the origin of cluster luminescence from AIE-type phosphorescence to Au⁰-core-dictated fluorescence. This effect becomes more prominent when the degree of aggregation of Au NCs increases in solution.     

Unraveling the Impact of Gold(I)–Thiolate Motifs on the Aggregation‐Induced Emission of Gold Nanoclusters

Aggregation‐induced emission (AIE) provides an efficient strategy to synthesize highly luminescent metal nanoclusters (NCs), however, rational control of emission energy and intensity of metal NCs is still challenging. This communication reveals the impact of surface Au^I‐thiolate motifs on the AIE properties of Au NCs, by employing a series of water‐soluble glutathione (GSH)‐coordinated Au complexes and NCs as a model ([Au₁₀SR₁₀], [Au₁₅SR₁₃], [Au₁₈SR₁₄], and [Au₂₅SR₁₈]^?, SR=thiolate ligand). Spectroscopic investigations show that the emission wavelength of Au NCs is adjustable from visible to the near‐infrared II (NIR‐II) region by controlling the length of the Au^I‐SR motifs on the NC surface. Decreasing the length of Au^I‐SR motifs also changes the origin of cluster luminescence from AIE‐type phosphorescence to Au⁰‐core‐dictated fluorescence. This effect becomes more prominent when the degree of aggregation of Au NCs increases in solution.     

Gold(I) and Gold(III) Trifluoromethyl Derivatives

Trifluoromethylation of AuCl₃ by using the Me₃SiCF₃/CsF system in THF and in the presence of [PPh₄]Br proceeds with partial reduction, yielding a mixture of [PPh₄][Au^I(CF₃)₂] ( 1′ ) and [PPh₄][Au^III(CF₃)₄] ( 2′ ) that can be adequately separated. An efficient method for the high‐yield synthesis of 1′ is also described. The molecular geometries of the homoleptic anions [Au^I(CF₃)₂]^? and [Au^III(CF₃)₄]^? in their salts 1′ and [NBu₄][Au^III(CF₃)₄] ( 2 ) have been established by X‐ray diffraction methods. Compound 1′ oxidatively adds halogens, X₂, furnishing [PPh₄][Au^III(CF₃)₂X₂] (X=Cl ( 3 ), Br ( 4 ), I ( 5 )), which are assigned a trans stereochemistry. Attempts to activate C? F bonds in the gold(III) derivative 2′ by reaction with Lewis acids under different conditions either failed or only gave complex mixtures. On the other hand, treatment of the gold(I) derivative 1′ with BF₃?OEt₂ under mild conditions cleanly afforded the carbonyl derivative [Au^I(CF₃)(CO)] ( 6 ), which can be isolated as an extremely moisture‐sensitive light yellow crystalline solid. In the solid state, each linear F₃C‐Au‐CO molecule weakly interacts with three symmetry‐related neighbors yielding an extended 3D network of aurophilic interactions (Au???Au=345.9(1) pm). The high $\tilde \nu $ _CO value (2194 cm^?1 in the solid state and 2180 cm^?1 in CH₂Cl₂ solution) denotes that CO is acting as a mainly σ‐donor ligand and confirms the role of the CF₃ group as an electron‐withdrawing ligand in organometallic chemistry. Compound 6 can be considered as a convenient synthon of the “Au^I(CF₃)” fragment, as it reacts with a number of neutral ligands L, giving rise to the corresponding [Au^I(CF₃)(L)] compounds (L=CNtBu ( 7 ), NCMe ( 8 ), py ( 9 ), tht ( 10 )).     

Two thiourea‐containing gold(I) complexes

The crystal structures of two salts of bis­(thio­urea)­gold(I) complexes, namely bis­(thio­urea‐κS)­gold(I) chloride, [Au(CH₄N₂S)₂]Cl, (I), and bis­[bis­(thio­urea‐κS)­gold(I)] sulfate, [Au(CH₄N₂S)₂]₂SO₄, (II), have been determined. The chloride salt, (I), is isomorphous with the corresponding bromide salt, although there are differences in the bonding. The Au^I ion is located on an inversion centre and coordinated by two symmetry‐related thio­urea ligands through the lone pairs on their S atoms [Au—S 2.278 (2) Å and Au—S—C 105.3 (2)°]. The sulfate salt, (II), crystallizes with four independent [Au(CH₄N₂S)₂]⁺ cations per asymmetric unit, all with nearly linear S—Au—S bonding. The cations in (II) have similar conformations to that found for (I). The Au—S distances range from 2.276 (3) to 2.287 (3) Å and the Au—S—C angles from 173.5 (1) to 177.7 (1)°. These data are relevant in interpreting different electrochemical processes where gold–thio­urea species are formed.     

Unusual Metal–Metal Bonding in a Dinuclear Pt–Au Complex: Snapshot of a Transmetalation Process

The dinuclear Pt–Au complex [(CNC)(PPh₃)Pt Au(PPh₃)](ClO₄) ( 2 ) (CNC=2,6‐diphenylpyridinate) was prepared. Its crystal structure shows a rare metal–metal bonding situation, with very short Pt–Au and Au–C_ipso(CNC) distances and dissimilar Pt–C_ipso(CNC) bonds. Multinuclear NMR spectra of 2 show the persistence of the Pt–Au bond in solution and the occurrence of unusual fluxional behavior involving the [Pt^II] and [Au^I] metal fragments. The [Pt^II]??? [Au^I] interaction has been thoroughly studied by means of DFT calculations. The observed bonding situation in 2 can be regarded as a model for an intermediate in a transmetalation process.     

Organic acid effect on the structures of Cd(II) metal-organic complexes based on 2-(3-pyridyl)imidazo[4,5-<Emphasis Type="Italic">f</Emphasis>]-1,10-phenanthroline

Three new Cd(II) complexes consisting of phenanthroline derivative and organic acid ligands, formulated as [Cd₃(3-PIP)₂(L¹)₆] (I), [Cd(3-PIP)(L²)] · H₂O (II), and [Cd(3-PIP)(L³)] (III) (3-PIP = 2-(3-pyridyl)imidazo[4,5-f]-1,10-phenanthroline, HL¹ = 3,5-dinitrobenzoic acid, H₂L² = oxalic acid, H₂L³ = benzene-1,3-dicarboxylic acid), have been synthesized via the hydrothermal reaction and characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, elemental analyses and FT-IR spectra. Complex I is a trinuclear structure. Complex II features a 1D zigzag chain. Complex III shows a twisted double chain of binuclear units sustained by double carboxylate bridges. Three complexes are further extended into 3D supramolecular frameworks by hydrogen bonding and π-π-stacking interactions. The structural differences among I–III show that the organic carboxylates have important effects on the structures. Furthermore, the supramolecular interactions are the critical factors in determining the final structures of the complexes. In addition, the thermal stabilities and luminescent properties of complexes I and II are also investigated.     

The Impact of Crystal Packing and Aurophilic Interactions on the Luminescence Properties in Polymorphs and Solvate of Aroylacetylide–Gold(I) Complexes

The influence of the chemical substitution, crystal packing, and aurophilic interactions of the gold(I) acetylide complexes of the type (ArCOC≡C)_nAuPEt₃ (n=1,2) on their luminescent properties were examined. All described complexes undergo ligand scrambling in solution, which results in the formation of stable, easily isolated crystals that contain [ArCO(C≡C)_n]₂Au⁻(Et₃P)₂Au⁺ homoleptic species. In particular, we observed that the (benzoylacetylide)gold(I) complex yields three crystal forms with strikingly different luminescence properties. We monitored the conversion pathway for these forms: an orange luminescent form of homoleptic complex upon drying undergoes spontaneous transformation to bright green fluorescent form and finally to the weakly blue emissive one. In addition, we report a rare example of a helical arrangement of Au⋅Au⋅Au chains that are observed for the first time in acetylide gold(I) complexes in the case of heteroleptic (benzoylacetylide)gold(I) complex. This is a very rare case in which crystal structures and ensuing electronic properties of the heteroleptic and Au^I complexes could be directly compared.     

Formation,Expansion, and Interconversion of Metallarings in a Sulfur‐Bridged AuICoIII Coordination System

A novel Au^ICo^III coordination system that is derived from the newly prepared [Co(D ‐nmp)₂]^? ( 1 ^?; D ‐nmp=N‐methyl‐D ‐penicillaminate) and a gold(I) precursor Au^I is reported. Complex 1 ^? acts as a sulfur‐donating metallaligand and reacts with the gold(I) precursor to give [Au₂Co₂(D ‐nmp)₄] ( 2 ), which has an eight‐membered Au^I₂Co^III₂ metallaring. Treatment of 2 with [Au₂(dppe)₂]²⁺ (dppe=1,2‐bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane) leads to the formation of [Au₄Co₂(dppe)₂(D ‐nmp)₄]²⁺ ( 3 ²⁺), which consists of an 18‐membered Au^I₄Co^III₂ metallaring that accommodates a tetrahedral anion (BF₄^?, ClO₄^?, ReO₄^?). In solution, the metallaring structure of 3 ²⁺ is readily interconvertible with the nine‐membered Au^I₂Co^III metallaring structure of [Au₂Co(dppe)(D ‐nmp)₂]⁺ ( 4 ⁺); this process depends on external factors, such as solvent, concentration, and nature of the counteranion. These results reveal the lability of the Au? S and Au? P bonds, which is essential for metallaring expansion and contraction.     

Formation,Expansion, and Interconversion of Metallarings in a Sulfur‐Bridged AuICoIII Coordination System

A novel Au^ICo^III coordination system that is derived from the newly prepared [Co(D ‐nmp)₂]⁻ ( 1 ⁻; D ‐nmp=N‐methyl‐D ‐penicillaminate) and a gold(I) precursor Au^I is reported. Complex 1 ⁻ acts as a sulfur‐donating metallaligand and reacts with the gold(I) precursor to give [Au₂Co₂(D ‐nmp)₄] ( 2 ), which has an eight‐membered Au^I₂Co^III₂ metallaring. Treatment of 2 with [Au₂(dppe)₂]²⁺ (dppe=1,2‐bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane) leads to the formation of [Au₄Co₂(dppe)₂(D ‐nmp)₄]²⁺ ( 3 ²⁺), which consists of an 18‐membered Au^I₄Co^III₂ metallaring that accommodates a tetrahedral anion (BF₄⁻, ClO₄⁻, ReO₄⁻). In solution, the metallaring structure of 3 ²⁺ is readily interconvertible with the nine‐membered Au^I₂Co^III metallaring structure of [Au₂Co(dppe)(D ‐nmp)₂]⁺ ( 4 ⁺); this process depends on external factors, such as solvent, concentration, and nature of the counteranion. These results reveal the lability of the Au S and Au P bonds, which is essential for metallaring expansion and contraction.     

Polymeric gold(I) diisobutyl dithiophosphate, [Au2{S2P(O-iso-C4H9)2}2]n: Synthesis,supramolecular self-organization (a role of aurophilic interaction), 13C and 31P MAS NMR spectroscopy,and thermal behavior

A new polymeric gold(I) diisobutyl dithiophosphate (Dtph), [Au₂{S₂P(O-iso-C₄H₉)₂}₂] _n (I), was preparatively obtained and characterized by ¹³C and ³¹P MAS NMR spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction (CIF file CCDC no. 977818). Diagrams of the χ² statistic were constructed from the complete ³¹P MAS NMR spectra and used to calculate the ³¹P chemical shift anisotropy (δ _aniso = δ _zz ? δ _iso ) and the asymmetry parameter η = (δ _yy ? δ _xx )/(δ _zz ? δ _iso ). The main structural unit of complex I is the noncentrosymmetric dinuclear molecule [Au₂{S₂P(O-iso-C₄H₉)₂}₂], in which the gold atoms are linked by two bridging ligands Dtph. The central cyclic structural fragment of the dimer [Au₂S₄P₂] is additionally stabilized by the intramolecular aurophilic interaction Au?Au. Further supramolecular self-organization of the complex involves intermolecular aurophilic bonds Au?Au that serve to unite adjacent dinuclear molecules [Au₂{S₂P(O-iso-C₄H₉)₂}₂] with different spatial orientations into the polymer chains ([Au₂{S₂P(O-iso-C₄H₉)₂}₂]) _n . The thermal behavior of complex I was examined by synchronous thermal analysis under argon. The character of the thermolysis of the complex to reduced metallic gold as a final product was determined.     

The Structure and Optical Properties of the [Au18(SR)14] Nanocluster

Decreasing the core size is one of the best ways to study the evolution from Au^I complexes into Au nanoclusters. Toward this goal, we successfully synthesized the [Au₁₈(SC₆H₁₁)₁₄] nanocluster using the [Au₁₈(SG)₁₄] (SG=L ‐glutathione) nanocluster as the starting material to react with cyclohexylthiol, and determined the X‐ray structure of the cyclohexylthiol‐protected [Au₁₈(C₆H₁₁S)₁₄] nanocluster. The [Au₁₈(SR)₁₄] cluster has a Au₉ bi‐octahedral kernel (or inner core). This Au₉ inner core is built by two octahedral Au₆ cores sharing one triangular face. One transitional gold atom is found in the Au₉ core, which can also be considered as part of the Au₄(SR)₅ staple motif. These findings offer new insight in terms of understanding the evolution from [Au^I(SR)] complexes into Au nanoclusters.