Title
Doping Silver Increases the Au38(SR)24 Cluster Surface Flexibility
Author
Bei Zhang, Thomas Bürgi
Year
2016
Journal
Journal of Physical Chemistry C
Abstract
Multiple Ag atoms were doped inside Au38(SCH2CH2Ph)24 nanoclusters using the metal exchange method for the first time for the synthesis of AgxAu38–x(SCH2CH2Ph)24. MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry revealed the time dependence of the synthesis. Cluster species with different numbers of Ag atoms (different x values) migrate differently on a chromatography (HPLC) column, which allows one to isolate cluster samples with a narrowed distribution of exchanged metal atoms. The enantiomers of selected AgxAu38–x(SCH2CH2Ph)24 samples (average x = 6.5 and 7.9) have been separated by HPLC. Doping changes the electronic structure, as is evidenced by the significantly different CD spectra. UV–vis spectra of the doped sample also show diminished features. The temperature required for complete racemization follows Au38 > AgxAu38–x (x = 6.5) > AgxAu38–x (x = 7.9). To our surprise, the racemization of AgxAu38–x(SCH2CH2Ph)24 (x = 7.9) occurred even at 20 °C. Racemization involves a rearrangement of the staple motifs at the cluster surface. The results therefore show an increased flexibility of the cluster with increasing silver content. The weaker Ag–S bonds compared to Au–S are proposed to be at the origin of this observation. The experimentally determined activation energy for the racemization is ca. 21.5 kcal/mol (x = 6.5) and 19.5 kcal/mol (x = 7.9), compared to 29.5 kcal/mol for Au38(SCH2CH2Ph)24, suggesting no complete metal–S bond breaking in the process.
Full Article
Instrument
J-815
Keywords
Circular dichroism, Nanostructures, Ligand binding, Materials,