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.