Generation of high nuclearity silver(i) and gold(i) species using simple N-heterocyclic carbene complexes

Abstract

1,3-Bis(2,6-isopropylphenyl)-imidazol-2-ylidene-silver(I) chloride [Ag(IPr)Cl], when combined with the appropriate reactants, solvents, and reaction sequence, can serve as a straightforward synthon for the generation of silver nanoclusters stabilized by dichalcogenophosphate ligands. Fundamental concepts in organometallic chemistry, such as transmetalation and ligand transfer, were observed and identified as the primary mechanisms responsible for the formation of these clusters. The major products were characterized using single-crystal X-ray diffraction and NMR spectroscopy. To determine the yield of the clusters, an analytical methodology combining atomic absorption spectroscopy and HPLC-UV spectroscopy was introduced.