[Ag71(S-tBu)31(Dppm)](SbF6)2: an intermediate-sized metalloid silver nanocluster containing a building block of Ag64

Abstract

An intermediate-sized atomically precise metalloid silver nanocluster [Ag₇₁(SR)₃₁(Dppm)](SbF₆)₂ (Dppm = bis (diphenylphosphino)methane, SR = S-^tBu) is reported, which comprises one building block Ag₆₄, six SR₅ pentagons, one sole SR ligand, a DppmAg₂ handle, and an Ag₅ lid. Structurally, a decahedron Ag₂₃ kernel is observed in the metalloid silver nanocluster. Moreover, the Ag₆₄ unit provides insights into the growth of large clusters such as Ag₁₃₆(SR)₆₄Cl₃ and Ag₁₄₁(SR)₄₀Br₁₂via assembly. The observed decahedron Ag₂₃ provides a deeper understanding on Marks decahedron in larger nanoclusters, and the [Ag₇₁(S-^tBu)₃₁(Dppm)](SbF₆)₂ uses Ag₆₄ as a building block to predict the structure of larger metalloid nanoclusters.