Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 22, 2025

Synthesis of In37P20O2CR51 Clusters and Their Conversion to InP Quantum Dots
Published on: May 7, 2019
The mystery of Ph3PS revealed in magic-size Ag-S cluster nucleation
Wei-Hong Wu1, Yu-Quan Gao1, Yu-Fei Lin1
1Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Advanced Catalysis Materials, Institute of Physical Chemistry, College of Chemistry and Life Sciences, Zhejiang Normal University, No. 688, Yingbin Avenue, Jinhua, Zhejiang, 321004, China. chzhan@zjnu.cn.
Abstract:
The synthesis of atomically precise semiconductors Ag-S clusters is a subject of intense research interest, yet the formation mechanism of such nanoclusters remains obscure due to their uncontrolled fast nucleation process in solution. Herein, we have investigated the reaction mechanism responsible for {Ag32S3} nucleation using UV, ESI-MS, NMR and SCXRD analyses. Triphenylphosphorus sulfide (PPh3S) was surprisingly found to slow down the kinetic process of the cluster nucleation. Furthermore, a key precursor [Ag2(Ph3PS)4]2+ was captured, which was attacked by Ag(CCBu) and traces of water to generate {Ag32S3}. This mechanism provides valuable new insights into the synthesis of inorganic magic-size clusters.
More Related Videos
07:14Author Spotlight: Experimental Approaches for the Synthesis of Low-Valent Metal-Organic Frameworks from Multitopic Phosphine Linkers
Published on: May 12, 2023
10:42Combining Solid-state and Solution-based Techniques: Synthesis and Reactivity of ChalcogenidoplumbatesII or IV
Published on: December 29, 2016
Related Concept Videos
Cationic Chain-Growth Polymerization: Mechanism
Hybridization of Atomic Orbitals II
SN1 Reaction: Mechanism
Firstly, the haloalkane ionizes to generate a carbocation intermediate and a halide ion. This heterolytic cleavage is highly endothermic with large activation energy. The ionization of the substrate, facilitated by a...
Chirality at Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Sulfur
A consequence of chirality is the need for enantiomeric resolution. While this is theoretically possible for all...
SN2 Reaction: Transition State
When the nucleophile approaches the electrophilic carbon with its lone pairs, the halide acts as a leaving group and moves away with the electron-pair bonded to the carbon. Dotted partial bonds represent the bonds being formed or broken...
SN2 Reaction: Mechanism
The presence of the more electronegative halogen in the substrate creates a polarized carbon-halide bond. The halide pulls the electron cloud generating an electrophilic center at the carbon atom. Thus, the carbon atom carries a partial positive charge while the halide has a...