Ligand Engineering in Metal Nanoclusters: from Structural Control to Functional Modulation

Ligand-protected metal nanoclusters have drawn increasing research interest because of their unique physicochemical properties and practical applications. Great efforts have been made in pursuing rational synthesis of metal nanoclusters and establishing the structure-property relationships. As an indispensable part of ligand-protected metal nanoclusters, ligands play multiple roles in determining their structures and properties. In this perspective, we demonstrate the importance of ligand engineering in terms of the control of structures, optical and catalytic properties of metal nanoclusters. Furthermore, we will show that ligand engineering is prospective in structural design and preorganization of surface metal sites.