Efficient synthesis of Au36(SR)24 nanoclusters via the cluster-from-cluster approach

Abstract

Monodisperse gold nanoclusters constitute a new branch of nanomaterials with atomically precise molecular structures. Recently, we developed a “cluster-from-cluster” approach to assemble gold nanoclusters [Au₂₅(SR)₁₈]⁻ (Au₂₅) via atomically precise Au₁₃ precursors. Herein we demonstrated that efficient synthesis of Au₃₆(SR)₂₄ (Au₃₆) nanoclusters can be realized via this facile approach. Ten examples of Au₃₆ with different thiolate ligands were prepared in high yields (up to 64%). Steric and electronic factors of the aromatic thiolate ligands were found to determine whether the final products would be Au₂₅ or Au₃₆. This work has not only presented a series of atomically precise Au₃₆ nanoclusters but also indicates that the “cluster-from-cluster” approach is a practical approach for preparing metal nanoclusters in high yields.