Doping Copper Atoms into the Nanocluster Kernel: Total Structure Determination of [Cu₃₀Ag₆₁(SAdm)₃₈S₃](BPh₄)

Doping active metal (i.e., Cu) into the kernel of noble metal nanoclusters (i.e., Au/Ag nanocluster) remains challenging in the synthesis of alloy nanoclusters. Herein, we report the synthesis and the total structure determination of a bimetallic [Ag₆₁Cu₃₀(SAdm)₃₈S₃]BPh₄ (Ag₆₁Cu₃₀) nanocluster. The Ag₆₁Cu₃₀ nanocluster is composed of an Ag₁₃@Cu₃₀ kernel which is further capped by a peripheral Ag₄₈(SAdm)₃₈S₃ shell. The icosidodecahedron Cu₃₀ middle layer connects the innermost icosahedral Ag₁₃ core and Ag atoms at the outermost Ag₄₈(SR)₃₈S₃ shell, demonstrating that the Cu atoms in the Cu₃₀ layer are in a metallic state.