Synthesis, Stability, and Photoluminescence Properties of PdAu10(PPh3)8Cl2 Clusters

We report on the synthesis, stability, and photoluminescence (PL) properties of triphenylphosphine (PPh₃)-stabilized PdAu₁₀(PPh₃)₈Cl₂ cluster, which is a mono-Pd-doped cluster of the well-studied Au₁₁(PPh₃)₈Cl₂ cluster. The PdAu₁₀(PPh₃)₈Cl₂ cluster was synthesized by simultaneously reducing two different metal complexes; AuCl(PPh₃) and Pd(PPh₃)₄. Experimental evaluation of the stability showed that PdAu₁₀(PPh₃)₈Cl₂ is more stable against degradation in solution than the monometal Au₁₁(PPh₃)₈Cl₂ cluster. PL measurements revealed that PdAu₁₀(PPh₃)₈Cl₂ exhibits PL at 950?nm with a quantum yield of 1.5?×?10^?3, which has not been observed for the monometal Au₁₁(PPh₃)₈Cl₂ cluster. The results indicate that Pd doping is a powerful method to produce clusters with higher stability and different physical properties than the monometal Au:PPh₃ clusters.