Substituent effect in determining the total structure of an all-alkynyl-protected Ag₉₈ nanocluster for methanol tolerant oxygen reduction reaction.

ABSTRACT: Metal nanoclusters (NCs) with atomically precise structures are desirable models for truly understanding their structure-property relationship. This study reports the synthesis and structural anatomy of a Ag₉₈ NC protected solely by an alkynyl ligand, 2-(trifluoromethyl)phenylacetylene (2-CF₃PhC[triple bond, length as m-dash]CH), which features a -CF₃ substituent at the ortho position (ortho-CF₃). 2-CF₃PhC[triple bond, length as m-dash]CH ligands are so exquisitely arranged on the surface of Ag₉₈ that the steric hindrance caused by ortho-CF₃ is minimized but its function as a hydrogen-bond (H-bond) acceptor (H⋯F) is maximized. Such a rule also applies to inter-cluster interactions which define

SUBMITTER: Cui X 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11474724 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature