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Zhang H, Chen L, Huang Y, Liu X, Moles Quintero S, Hong W, Wang D, Casado J, Zheng Y. Radical-induced single-molecule conductance tuning in 9,9'-bifluorenylidene derivatives. Chem Sci 2025; 16:5099-5108. [PMID: 39975763 PMCID: PMC11833457 DOI: 10.1039/d4sc07256a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2024] [Accepted: 02/07/2025] [Indexed: 02/21/2025] Open
Abstract
Single-molecule techniques provide new perspectives for understanding the relationship between spin delocalization of organic radicals and the intramolecular electronic structure. In this study, a series of 9,9'-bifluorenylidene (9,9'-BF) derivatives with four functionalization sites were synthesized, showcasing the orthogonalization of non-conducting (between radical sites) and conducting (between thiomethyl groups) paths. By precisely controlling the amount of radicals, or radical injection, ranging from mono-radical (Mono-PFPR) to diradicals, and among these, varying from medium (Di-PFPRy 0 = 0.66) to small (Di-PFNRy 0 = 0.11) to vanishing (Di-NFNRy 0 = 0) diradical characters (y 0 represents the diradical index), the influence of organic radical spin delocalization on the conducting path can be gradually modulated, transforming linear conjugated conducting channels into cross-conjugated channels and significantly reducing single-molecule conductance. This discovery provides an in-depth understanding of the complex relationship between radicals, spin delocalization, and molecular conductance, which is rather unique in the area of functional stable radical compounds. Ultimately, it provides forward-looking guidance for research on these materials in the field of organic electronic materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanjun Zhang
- School of Optoelectronic Science and Engineering, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China (UESTC) Chengdu 611731 People's Republic of China
| | - Lichuan Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Xiamen University Xiamen Xiamen 361005 People's Republic of China
| | - Yunzhu Huang
- School of Optoelectronic Science and Engineering, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China (UESTC) Chengdu 611731 People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaodong Liu
- School of Optoelectronic Science and Engineering, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China (UESTC) Chengdu 611731 People's Republic of China
| | - Sergio Moles Quintero
- Department of Physical Chemistry, University of Málaga Campus de Teatinos s/n Málaga 29071 Spain
| | - Wenjing Hong
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Xiamen University Xiamen Xiamen 361005 People's Republic of China
| | - Dongsheng Wang
- School of Optoelectronic Science and Engineering, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China (UESTC) Chengdu 611731 People's Republic of China
| | - Juan Casado
- Department of Physical Chemistry, University of Málaga Campus de Teatinos s/n Málaga 29071 Spain
| | - Yonghao Zheng
- School of Optoelectronic Science and Engineering, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China (UESTC) Chengdu 611731 People's Republic of China
- State Key Laboratory of Organic Electronics and Information Displays & Institute of Advanced Materials (IAM), Nanjing University of Posts & Telecommunications 9 Wenyuan Road Nanjing 210023 People's Republic of China
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Zhang H, Chen L, Liu X, Sun F, Zhang M, Quintero SM, Zhan Q, Jiang S, Li J, Wang D, Casado J, Hong W, Zheng Y. Gated off-site radical injection: Bidirectional conductance modulation in single-molecule junctions. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2024; 10:eadp7307. [PMID: 39485854 PMCID: PMC11529717 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adp7307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2024] [Accepted: 09/27/2024] [Indexed: 11/03/2024]
Abstract
Uncovering the effects of radical injection into responsive organic molecules is a long-sought goal, and the single-molecule junctions provide a unique way to investigate molecular conductance evolution during the radical injection. We can modulate the main channel conductance by using electronic injection from off-site neutral radicals acting as gating terminals. Two families of cyclopentadienone derivatives were synthesized, featuring the inter-pyridyl main conductance channel and the inter-radical paths that are linear (FCF) or cross conjugated (PCP). Using a scanning tunneling microscope break junction technique, we find that the injection of mono- and diradicals in the PCP system unexpectedly decreases the conductance regarding the closed-shell analog, while that of FCF systems increases. Through-bond and through-space conductance mechanisms are found in the FCF and PCP series, respectively, and jointly modulate the overall charge transmission. This off-site injection concept offers a promising approach for developing molecular devices by manipulating electrical conductance in single-molecule junctions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanjun Zhang
- School of Optoelectronic Science and Engineering, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China (UESTC), Chengdu 611731, P. R. China
| | - Lichuan Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, P. R. China
- Institute of Modern Optics and Center of Single-Molecule Science, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Micro-scale Optical Information Science and Technology, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, P. R. China
| | - Xiaodong Liu
- School of Optoelectronic Science and Engineering, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China (UESTC), Chengdu 611731, P. R. China
| | - Fanxi Sun
- School of Optoelectronic Science and Engineering, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China (UESTC), Chengdu 611731, P. R. China
| | - Maolin Zhang
- School of Optoelectronic Science and Engineering, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China (UESTC), Chengdu 611731, P. R. China
| | - Sergio Moles Quintero
- Department of Physical Chemistry, University of Málaga, Campus de Teatinos s/n, Málaga 29071, Spain
| | - Qian Zhan
- School of Optoelectronic Science and Engineering, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China (UESTC), Chengdu 611731, P. R. China
| | - Shenqing Jiang
- School of Optoelectronic Science and Engineering, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China (UESTC), Chengdu 611731, P. R. China
| | - Jiayu Li
- School of Optoelectronic Science and Engineering, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China (UESTC), Chengdu 611731, P. R. China
| | - Dongsheng Wang
- School of Optoelectronic Science and Engineering, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China (UESTC), Chengdu 611731, P. R. China
| | - Juan Casado
- Department of Physical Chemistry, University of Málaga, Campus de Teatinos s/n, Málaga 29071, Spain
| | - Wenjing Hong
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, P. R. China
| | - Yonghao Zheng
- School of Optoelectronic Science and Engineering, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China (UESTC), Chengdu 611731, P. R. China
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3
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Sun Z, Wang J, Su L, Gu Z, Wu XP, Chen W, Ma W. Dynamic Evolution and Reversibility of a Single Au 25 Nanocluster for the Oxygen Reduction Reaction. J Am Chem Soc 2024; 146:20059-20068. [PMID: 38994646 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.4c03939] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/13/2024]
Abstract
Ultrasmall metallic nanoclusters (NCs) protected by surface ligands represent the most promising catalytic materials; yet understanding the structure and catalytic activity of these NCs remains a challenge due to dynamic evolution of their active sites under reaction conditions. Herein, we employed a single-nanoparticle collision electrochemistry method for real-time monitoring of the dynamic electrocatalytic activity of a single fully ligand-protected Au25(PPh3)10(SC2H4Ph)5Cl22+ nanocluster (Au252+ NC) at a cavity carbon nanoelectrode toward the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). Our experimental results and computational simulations indicated that the reversible depassivation and passivation of ligands on the surface of the Au252+ NC, combined with the dynamic conformation evolution of the Au259+ core, led to a characteristic current signal that involves "ON-OFF" switches and "ON" fluctuations during the ORR process of a single Au252+ NC. Our findings reinvent the new perception and comprehension of the structure-activity correlation of NCs at the atomic level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zehui Sun
- Key Laboratory for Advanced Materials and Joint International Research Laboratory of Precision Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Feringa Nobel Prize Scientist Joint Research Center, Frontiers Science Center for Materiobiology and Dynamic Chemistry, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, 130 Meilong Road, Shanghai 200237, PR China
| | - Jia Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Green Chemical Engineering and Industrial Catalysis, Centre for Computational Chemistry and Research Institute of Industrial Catalysis, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, 130 Meilong Road, Shanghai 200237, PR China
| | - Lei Su
- Key Laboratory for Advanced Materials and Joint International Research Laboratory of Precision Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Feringa Nobel Prize Scientist Joint Research Center, Frontiers Science Center for Materiobiology and Dynamic Chemistry, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, 130 Meilong Road, Shanghai 200237, PR China
| | - Zhihao Gu
- Key Laboratory for Advanced Materials and Joint International Research Laboratory of Precision Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Feringa Nobel Prize Scientist Joint Research Center, Frontiers Science Center for Materiobiology and Dynamic Chemistry, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, 130 Meilong Road, Shanghai 200237, PR China
| | - Xin-Ping Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Green Chemical Engineering and Industrial Catalysis, Centre for Computational Chemistry and Research Institute of Industrial Catalysis, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, 130 Meilong Road, Shanghai 200237, PR China
| | - Wei Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Electroanalytical Chemistry, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 5625 Renmin Street, Changchun 130022, PR China
| | - Wei Ma
- Key Laboratory for Advanced Materials and Joint International Research Laboratory of Precision Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Feringa Nobel Prize Scientist Joint Research Center, Frontiers Science Center for Materiobiology and Dynamic Chemistry, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, 130 Meilong Road, Shanghai 200237, PR China
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4
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Li S, Li NN, Dong XY, Zang SQ, Mak TCW. Chemical Flexibility of Atomically Precise Metal Clusters. Chem Rev 2024; 124:7262-7378. [PMID: 38696258 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.3c00896] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/04/2024]
Abstract
Ligand-protected metal clusters possess hybrid properties that seamlessly combine an inorganic core with an organic ligand shell, imparting them exceptional chemical flexibility and unlocking remarkable application potential in diverse fields. Leveraging chemical flexibility to expand the library of available materials and stimulate the development of new functionalities is becoming an increasingly pressing requirement. This Review focuses on the origin of chemical flexibility from the structural analysis, including intra-cluster bonding, inter-cluster interactions, cluster-environments interactions, metal-to-ligand ratios, and thermodynamic effects. In the introduction, we briefly outline the development of metal clusters and explain the differences and commonalities of M(I)/M(I/0) coinage metal clusters. Additionally, we distinguish the bonding characteristics of metal atoms in the inorganic core, which give rise to their distinct chemical flexibility. Section 2 delves into the structural analysis, bonding categories, and thermodynamic theories related to metal clusters. In the following sections 3 to 7, we primarily elucidate the mechanisms that trigger chemical flexibility, the dynamic processes in transformation, the resultant alterations in structure, and the ensuing modifications in physical-chemical properties. Section 8 presents the notable applications that have emerged from utilizing metal clusters and their assemblies. Finally, in section 9, we discuss future challenges and opportunities within this area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Si Li
- College of Chemistry, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Na-Na Li
- College of Chemistry, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Henan Polytechnic University, Jiaozuo 454000, China
| | - Xi-Yan Dong
- College of Chemistry, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Henan Polytechnic University, Jiaozuo 454000, China
| | - Shuang-Quan Zang
- College of Chemistry, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Thomas C W Mak
- College of Chemistry, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
- Department of Chemistry, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong, SAR 999077, China
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5
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Guo MM, Jiang Y, Wang JY, Chen ZN, Hou S, Zhang QC. Effectively Enhancing the Conductance of Asymmetric Molecular Wires by Aligning the Energy Level and Symmetrizing the Coupling. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2024. [PMID: 38332611 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.3c03530] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/10/2024]
Abstract
An asymmetric structure is an important strategy for designing highly conductive molecular wires for a gap-fixed molecular circuit. As the conductance enhancement in the current strategy is still limited to about 2 times, we inserted a methylene group as a spacer in a conjugated structure to modulate the structural symmetry. We found that the conductance drastically enhanced in the asymmetric molecular wire to 1.5 orders of magnitude as high as that in the symmetric molecular wire. First-principles quantum transport studies attributed the effective enhancement to the synchronization of improved energy alignment and nearly symmetric coupling between the frontier orbitals and the electrodes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meng-Meng Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Structural Chemistry, Fujian Institute of Research on the Structure of Matter, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Fuzhou, Fujian 350002, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuxuan Jiang
- Key Laboratory for the Physics and Chemistry of Nanodevices, School of Electronics, Peking University, Beijing 100871, People's Republic of China
- Centre for Nanoscale Science and Technology, Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Peking University, Beijing 100871, People's Republic of China
| | - Jin-Yun Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Structural Chemistry, Fujian Institute of Research on the Structure of Matter, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Fuzhou, Fujian 350002, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhong-Ning Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Structural Chemistry, Fujian Institute of Research on the Structure of Matter, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Fuzhou, Fujian 350002, People's Republic of China
| | - Shimin Hou
- Key Laboratory for the Physics and Chemistry of Nanodevices, School of Electronics, Peking University, Beijing 100871, People's Republic of China
- Centre for Nanoscale Science and Technology, Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Peking University, Beijing 100871, People's Republic of China
| | - Qian-Chong Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Structural Chemistry, Fujian Institute of Research on the Structure of Matter, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Fuzhou, Fujian 350002, People's Republic of China
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Mai S, Sun J, Fang Z, Xiao GB, Cao J. Metal Clusters Based Multifunctional Materials for Solar Cells. Chemistry 2024:e202303973. [PMID: 38179822 DOI: 10.1002/chem.202303973] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2023] [Revised: 01/01/2024] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 01/06/2024]
Abstract
As a multifunctional material, metal clusters have recently received some attention for their application in solar cells.This review delves into the multifaceted role of metal clusters in advancing solar cell technologies, covering diverse aspects from electron transport and interface modification to serving as molecular precursors for inorganic materials and acting as photosensitizers in metal-cluster sensitized solar cells (MCSSCs). The studies conducted by various researchers illustrate the crucial impact of metal clusters, such as gold nanoclusters (Au NCs), on enhancing solar cell efficiency through size-dependent effects, distinct interface behaviors, and tailored interface engineering. From optimizing charge transfer rates to improving light absorption and reducing carrier recombination, metal clusters prove instrumental in shaping the landscape of solar energy conversion.The promising performance of metal-cluster sensitized solar cells, coupled with their scalability and flexibility, positions them as a exciting avenue for future clean energy applications. The article concludes by emphasizing the need for continued interdisciplinary research and technological innovation to unlock the full potential of metal clusters in contributing to sustainable and high-performance solar cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sibei Mai
- State Key Laboratory of Applied Organic Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Nonferrous Metal Chemistry and Resources Utilization of Gansu Province, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, P. R. China
| | - Jia Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Applied Organic Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Nonferrous Metal Chemistry and Resources Utilization of Gansu Province, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, P. R. China
| | - Zihan Fang
- State Key Laboratory of Applied Organic Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Nonferrous Metal Chemistry and Resources Utilization of Gansu Province, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, P. R. China
| | - Guo-Bin Xiao
- State Key Laboratory of Applied Organic Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Nonferrous Metal Chemistry and Resources Utilization of Gansu Province, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, P. R. China
| | - Jing Cao
- State Key Laboratory of Applied Organic Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Nonferrous Metal Chemistry and Resources Utilization of Gansu Province, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, P. R. China
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7
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Ji S, Peng D, Sun F, You Q, Wang R, Yan N, Zhou Y, Wang W, Tang Q, Xia N, Zeng Z, Wu Z. Coexistent, Competing Tunnelling, and Hopping Charge Transport in Compressed Metal Nanocluster Crystals. J Am Chem Soc 2023; 145:24012-24020. [PMID: 37903430 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.3c07007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2023]
Abstract
Understanding charge transport among metal particles with sizes of approximately 1 nm poses a great challenge due to the ultrasmall nanosize, yet it holds great significance in the development of innovative materials as substitutes for traditional semiconductors, which are insulative and unstable in less than ∼10 nm thickness. Herein, atomically precise gold nanoclusters with well-defined compositions and structures were investigated to establish a mathematical relation between conductivity and interparticle distance. This was accomplished using high-pressure in situ resistance characterizations, synchrotron X-ray diffraction (XRD), and the Murnaghan equation of state. Based on this precise correlation, it was predicted that the conductivity of Au25(SNap)18 (SNap: 1-naphthalenethiolate) solid is comparable to that of bulk silver when the interparticle distance is reduced to approximately 3.6 Å. Furthermore, the study revealed the coexisting, competing tunneling, and incoherent hopping charge transport mechanisms, which differed from those previously reported. The introduction of conjugation-structured ligands, tuning of the structures of metal nanoclusters, and use of high-pressure techniques contributed to enhanced conductivity, and thus, the charge carrier types were determined using Hall measurements. Overall, this study provides valuable insight into the charge transport in gold nanocluster solids and represents an important advancement in metal nanocluster semiconductor research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shiyu Ji
- Key Laboratory of Materials Physics, Anhui Key Laboratory of Nanomaterials and Nanotechnology, Institute of Solid State Physics, HFIPS, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei 230031, P. R. China
- University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230601, P. R. China
| | - Di Peng
- Key Laboratory of Materials Physics, Anhui Key Laboratory of Nanomaterials and Nanotechnology, Institute of Solid State Physics, HFIPS, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei 230031, P. R. China
- University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230601, P. R. China
| | - Fang Sun
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Theoretical and Computational Chemistry, Chongqing University, Chongqing 401331, China
| | - Qing You
- Key Laboratory of Materials Physics, Anhui Key Laboratory of Nanomaterials and Nanotechnology, Institute of Solid State Physics, HFIPS, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei 230031, P. R. China
- Institute of Physical Science and Information Technology, Anhui University, Hefei 230601, P. R. China
| | - Runguo Wang
- Key Laboratory of Materials Physics, Anhui Key Laboratory of Nanomaterials and Nanotechnology, Institute of Solid State Physics, HFIPS, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei 230031, P. R. China
- University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230601, P. R. China
| | - Nan Yan
- Key Laboratory of Materials Physics, Anhui Key Laboratory of Nanomaterials and Nanotechnology, Institute of Solid State Physics, HFIPS, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei 230031, P. R. China
- Institute of Physical Science and Information Technology, Anhui University, Hefei 230601, P. R. China
| | - Yue Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Materials Physics, Anhui Key Laboratory of Nanomaterials and Nanotechnology, Institute of Solid State Physics, HFIPS, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei 230031, P. R. China
- University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230601, P. R. China
| | - Weiyi Wang
- University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230601, P. R. China
| | - Qing Tang
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Theoretical and Computational Chemistry, Chongqing University, Chongqing 401331, China
| | - Nan Xia
- Key Laboratory of Materials Physics, Anhui Key Laboratory of Nanomaterials and Nanotechnology, Institute of Solid State Physics, HFIPS, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei 230031, P. R. China
- Institute of Physical Science and Information Technology, Anhui University, Hefei 230601, P. R. China
| | - Zhi Zeng
- Key Laboratory of Materials Physics, Anhui Key Laboratory of Nanomaterials and Nanotechnology, Institute of Solid State Physics, HFIPS, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei 230031, P. R. China
| | - Zhikun Wu
- Key Laboratory of Materials Physics, Anhui Key Laboratory of Nanomaterials and Nanotechnology, Institute of Solid State Physics, HFIPS, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei 230031, P. R. China
- Institute of Physical Science and Information Technology, Anhui University, Hefei 230601, P. R. China
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Wang S, He W, Cui Y, Zhou Z, Ma L, Zang SQ. Atomically precise chiral silver clusters based on non-chiral ligands for acid/base stimulated luminescence response. NANOSCALE 2023. [PMID: 37466042 DOI: 10.1039/d3nr03095d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/20/2023]
Abstract
Chiral metal nanoclusters synthesized by non-chiral ligands are usually in the form of racemates. Thus, resolving racemic compounds continues to be a great challenge. Herein, we report a case of the racemic compound hexanuclear silver cluster (Ag6-Rac) protected by the non-chiral sulfhydryl ligand sodium 1H-1,2,3-triazole-5-thiolate (SHTT) and 2,6-bis(diphenylphosphino)pyridine (dpppy). The homochiral clusters in Ag6-Rac are able to spontaneously crystallize and undergo chiral resolution to obtain a racemic conglomerate (Ag6-S/Ag6-R) by solvent-induced crystallization. Interestingly, the Ag6-Rac clusters exhibit strong luminescence in solid and solution, which can respond to trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) and reversible cycling over five times using diethylamine (DEA). This work provides a new research model for resolving racemic clusters and constructing stimulus-responsive clusters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuaibo Wang
- College of Chemistry, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China.
| | - Weimiao He
- College of Chemistry, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China.
| | - Yujia Cui
- College of Chemistry, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China.
| | - Zhan Zhou
- College of Chemistry, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China.
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Henan Key Laboratory of Function-Oriented Porous Materials, Luoyang Normal University, Luoyang, 471934, China
| | - Lufang Ma
- College of Chemistry, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China.
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Henan Key Laboratory of Function-Oriented Porous Materials, Luoyang Normal University, Luoyang, 471934, China
| | - Shuang-Quan Zang
- College of Chemistry, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China.
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