biostudies-literatureUnknown62(4)Bevilacqua MDipartimento di Scienze Chimiche, Universit? di PadovaConsorzio Interuniversitario per le Reattivit? Chimiche e la CatalisiHerein, we report a new method to synthesize molecular gold nanoclusters (AuNCs) stabilized by phosphine (PR₃) and di-N-heterocyclic carbene (di-NHC) ligands. The interaction of di-NHC gold(I) complexes, with the general formula [(di-NHC)Au₂Cl₂] with well-known [Au₁₁(PPh₃)₈Cl₂]Cl clusters provides three new classes of AuNCs through a controllable reaction sequence. The synthesis involves an initial ligand metathesis reaction to produce [Au₁₁(di-NHC)(PPh₃)₆Cl₂]⁺ (type <b>1</b> clusters), followed by a thermally induced rearrangement/metal complex addition with the formation of Au₁₃ clusters [Au₁₃(di-NHC)₂(PPh₃)₄Cl₄]⁺ (type <b>2</b> clusters). Finally, an additional metathesis process yields [Au₁₃(di-NHC)₃(PPh₃)₃Cl₃]²⁺ (type <b>3</b> clusters). The electronic and steric properties of the employed di-NHC ligand affect the product distribution, leading to the isolation and full characterization of different clusters as the main product. A type <b>3</b> cluster has been also structurally characterized and was preliminarily found to be strongly emissive in solution.Inorganic chemistry1383-1393https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC9890486biostudies-literatureFrom Au₁₁ to Au₁₃: Tailored Synthesis of Superatomic Di-NHC/PPh₃-Stabilized Molecular Gold Nanoclusters.PMC9890486Graiff CBogialli SBiffis ARoverso MBevilacqua MfalseFrom Au₁₁ to Au₁₃: Tailored Synthesis of Superatomic Di-NHC/PPh₃-Stabilized Molecular Gold Nanoclusters.Herein, we report a new method to synthesize molecular gold nanoclusters (AuNCs) stabilized by phosphine (PR₃) and di-N-heterocyclic carbene (di-NHC) ligands. The interaction of di-NHC gold(I) complexes, with the general formula [(di-NHC)Au₂Cl₂] with well-known [Au₁₁(PPh₃)₈Cl₂]Cl clusters provides three new classes of AuNCs through a controllable reaction sequence. The synthesis involves an initial ligand metathesis reaction to produce [Au₁₁(di-NHC)(PPh₃)₆Cl₂]⁺ (type <b>1</b> clusters), followed by a thermally induced rearrangement/metal complex addition with the formation of Au₁₃ clusters [Au₁₃(di-NHC)₂(PPh₃)₄Cl₄]⁺ (type <b>2</b> clusters). Finally, an additional metathesis process yields [Au₁₃(di-NHC)₃(PPh₃)₃Cl₃]²⁺ (type <b>3</b> clusters). The electronic and steric properties of the employed di-NHC ligand affect the product distribution, leading to the isolation and full characterization of different clusters as the main product. A type <b>3</b> cluster has been also structurally characterized and was preliminarily found to be strongly emissive in solution.2023-01-01T00:00:00Z2023 Jan2026-06-18T08:45:08.204Z2025-04-06T15:43:33.616ZS-EPMC98904863663882710.1021/acs.inorgchem.2c03331