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Construction of Multiply Bridged Coordination Framework via a Cluster-Ligand Strategy
Jia-Hong Huang1, Feng Xiao2, Zhihe Liu1
1Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.
Researchers developed a new coordination framework using gold nanoclusters (NCs) as building blocks. This strategy enables robust, luminescent frameworks for applications like image-guided surgery.
Area of Science:
- Reticular chemistry
- Materials science
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Developing robust coordination frameworks with multiply bridged secondary building units (SBUs) is challenging.
- SBUs are typically generated in situ during framework assembly, hindering deliberate synthesis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report a facile synthesis of a multiply bridged coordination framework using pre-functionalized metal nanoclusters (NCs).
- To utilize NCs as multi-bridging linkers to transition metal cluster nodes for enhanced structural and luminescent properties.
Main Methods:
- Employed a cluster-ligand strategy using predesigned [Au25(p-MBA)18]-1 nanoclusters as SBUs and linkers.
- Assembled the nanoclusters with Zn5 clusters into a (4,8)-connected rhombic dodecahedral framework (Au25-Zn5) via multiple bridging modes.
Main Results:
- Achieved facile synthesis of a multiply bridged coordination framework (Au25-Zn5).
- The ordered co-assembly enhanced the near-infrared (NIR) emission of the gold nanoclusters.
- Obtained supercrystals suitable for X-ray crystallography, enabling structural and luminescence mechanism resolution.
Conclusions:
- The cluster-ligand strategy provides a means to synthesize robust, luminescent coordination frameworks.
- The Au25-Zn5 framework exhibits enhanced NIR emission and structural stability.
- This framework shows potential as a versatile, leak-free NIR-emissive coating for image-guided tumor surgery.
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