Cluster From Cluster: A Quantitative Approach to Magic Gold Nanoclusters [Au₂₅ (SR)₁₈ ]

High-yield and large-scale synthesis are highly demanded for the studies of gold nanoclusters. We developed a "cluster from cluster" approach to assemble gold nanoclusters with preformed atomically precise Au₁₃ precursors. This facile approach has proved to be very effective in the synthesis of the well-known magic cluster [Au₂₅ (SR)₁₈ ]^- , which could prepare the target cluster in high yield (overall yield up to ≈100 %) at large scale (gram-scale based on gold). This method can be applied in the synthesis of 10 Au₂₅ clusters with different R groups. This work presents an important approach that may be extended to high-yield and large-scale synthesis of other metal nanoclusters.