Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 17, 2026
Author Spotlight: A Bicelle Crystallization Setup for ABC Transporter Membrane Proteins to Advance Drug Development
Published on: August 25, 2023
A homoleptic, all-alkynyl-stabilized highly luminescent Au8Ag8 cluster with a single crystal X-ray structure
Rui Zhang1, Chongyang Zhao2, Xiumin Li1
1Department of Chemistry, Renmin University of China, Beijing 100872, China. ruicao@ruc.edu.cn.
Abstract:
A homoleptic, all-alkynyl-stabilized [Au8Ag8(ArC[triple bond, length as m-dash]C)16] (1, Ar = 3,5-di-tert-butylphenyl) cluster was synthesized and characterized with a single crystal X-ray structure. Reactions of 3,5-di-tert-butyl-phenylacetylene with Ag(i) and Au(i) gave [Ag(ArC[triple bond, length as m-dash]C)]n and Au(PPh3)(ArC[triple bond, length as m-dash]C), respectively, where both have unusually high solubility in nonpolar organic solvents. In addition to drastically increased solubility, the two bulky tert-butyl substituents on the phenyl ring can confine the metal core to a certain size by preventing infinite aggregation of d(10) metals. This feature makes the isolation of an all-alkynyl-stabilized Au-Ag cluster possible. Complex 1 is intensely luminescent with a very high quantum yield of 0.67 in solution at room temperature. Theoretical studies offered valuable insights into the intriguing photophysical properties, and revealed the significant role of metal-alkynyl bond interactions and enhanced molecular rigidity provided by tert-butyl groups.
Related Concept Videos
01:29Determination of Crystal Structures
02:58Crystal 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...
02:18X-ray Crystallography
Diffraction
Diffraction is the change in the direction of travel experienced by an electromagnetic wave when it encounters a physical barrier whose dimensions are comparable to those of the wavelength of the light. X-rays are electromagnetic radiation with wavelengths about as long as the distance between neighboring...
02:42Ionic Crystal Structures
Most monatomic ions behave as charged spheres, and their attraction for ions of opposite charge is the same in every direction. Consequently, stable structures for ionic compounds result (1) when ions of one charge are surrounded by as many ions as possible of the opposite...