Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 25, 2026

Synthesis, Characterization, and Functionalization of Hybrid Au/CdS and Au/ZnS Core/Shell Nanoparticles
Published on: March 2, 2016
Enlargement of globular silver alkynide cluster via core transformation
Sam C K Hau1, Ping-Shing Cheng, Thomas C W Mak
1Department of Chemistry and Center of Novel Functional Molecules, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong SAR, People's Republic of China.
Abstract:
The multinuclear metal-ligand supramolecular synthon R-C≡C⊃Ag(n) (R = alkyl, cycloalkyl; n = 3, 4, 5) has been employed to construct two high-nuclearity silver ethynide cluster compounds, [Cl(6)Ag(8)@Ag(30)((t)BuC≡C)(20)(ClO(4))(12)]·Et(2)O (1) and [Cl(6)Ag(8)@Ag(30)(chxC≡C)(20)(ClO(4))(10)](ClO(4))(2)·1.5Et(2)O (chx = cyclohexyl) (2), that bear the same novel Cl(6)Ag(8) central core. The synthesis of 1 made use of [Cl@Ag(14)((t)BuC≡C)(12)]OH as a precursor, and its reaction with AgClO(4) in CH(2)Cl(2) resulted in an increase in nuclearity from 14 to 38. The results presented here strongly suggest that the formation of multinuclear silver ethynide cage complexes 1 and 2 proceeds by a reassembly process in solution that involves transformation of the encapsulated chloride template within a Ag(14) cage into a cationic pseudo-O(h) Cl(6)Ag(8) inner core, leading to the generation of a much enlarged Cl(6)Ag(8)@Ag(30) cluster within a cluster. To our knowledge, this provides the first example of the conversion of a silver cluster into one of higher nuclearity via inner-core transformation.
More Related Videos
12:43The Synthesis of [Sn10(Si(SiMe3)3)4]2- Using a Metastable Sn(I) Halide Solution Synthesized via a Co-condensation Technique
Published on: November 28, 2016
08:55Methods of Ex Situ and In Situ Investigations of Structural Transformations: The Case of Crystallization of Metallic Glasses
Published on: June 7, 2018
Related Concept Videos
Crystal Field Theory - Octahedral Complexes
To explain the observed behavior of transition metal complexes (such as colors), a model involving electrostatic interactions between the electrons from the ligands and the electrons in the unhybridized d orbitals of the central metal atom has been developed. This electrostatic model is crystal field theory (CFT). It helps to understand, interpret, and predict the colors, magnetic behavior, and some structures of coordination compounds of transition metals.
CFT focuses on...
Bonding in Metals
Formation of Complex Ions
Metal-Ligand Bonds
In these complexes, transition metals form coordinate covalent bonds, a kind of Lewis acid-base interaction in which both of the electrons in the bond are contributed by a donor (Lewis base) to an electron acceptor (Lewis acid). The Lewis acid in...
Halogenation of Alkenes
Consider the bromination of cyclopentene. Molecular bromine is polarized in the proximity of the π electrons of cyclopentene. An electrophilic bromine atom adds across the double bond, forming a cyclic bromonium ion intermediate.
Colloidal precipitates