biostudies-literatureUnknown6(1)Zhang YThe structurally precise alloy nanoclusters have been emerged as a burgeoning nanomaterial for their unique physical/chemical features. We here report a rod-like nanocluster [Au<sub>12</sub>Cu<sub>13</sub>(PPh<sub>3</sub>)<sub>10</sub>I<sub>7</sub>](SbF<sub>6</sub>)<sub>2</sub> (Au<sub>12</sub>Cu<sub>13</sub>), which was generated through a transformation of a [Au<sub>9</sub>(PPh<sub>3</sub>)<sub>8</sub>]<sup>3+</sup> intermediate in the presence of CuI, unveiled by time-dependent UV-vis spectroscopy, electrospray ionization mass spectrometry as well as single crystal X-ray diffraction. Au<sub>12</sub>Cu<sub>13</sub> is comprised of two pentagonal bipyramids Au<sub>6</sub>Cu units and a pentagonal prism Cu<sub>11</sub> unit, where the copper and gold species are presented in +1 and 0 chemical states. The Cu-dopants significantly improved the stability and fluorescence (quantum yield: ~34%, 34-folds of homo-Au<sub>25</sub>(PPh<sub>3</sub>)<sub>10</sub>Br<sub>7</sub>). The high stability of Au<sub>12</sub>Cu<sub>13</sub> is attributed to the high binding energy of iodine ligands, Au-Cu synergistic effects and its 16-electon system as an 8-electron superatom dimer. Finally, the robust Au<sub>12</sub>Cu<sub>13</sub> exhibited high catalytic activity (~92% conversion and ~84% methyl formate-selectivity) and good durability in methanol photo-oxidation.Communications chemistry24https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC9908894biostudies-literatureAtomically precise copper dopants in metal clusters boost up stability, fluorescence, and photocatalytic activity.PMC9908894Li GLi ZSharma SZhang JZhang YQin ZfalseAtomically precise copper dopants in metal clusters boost up stability, fluorescence, and photocatalytic activity.The structurally precise alloy nanoclusters have been emerged as a burgeoning nanomaterial for their unique physical/chemical features. We here report a rod-like nanocluster [Au<sub>12</sub>Cu<sub>13</sub>(PPh<sub>3</sub>)<sub>10</sub>I<sub>7</sub>](SbF<sub>6</sub>)<sub>2</sub> (Au<sub>12</sub>Cu<sub>13</sub>), which was generated through a transformation of a [Au<sub>9</sub>(PPh<sub>3</sub>)<sub>8</sub>]<sup>3+</sup> intermediate in the presence of CuI, unveiled by time-dependent UV-vis spectroscopy, electrospray ionization mass spectrometry as well as single crystal X-ray diffraction. Au<sub>12</sub>Cu<sub>13</sub> is comprised of two pentagonal bipyramids Au<sub>6</sub>Cu units and a pentagonal prism Cu<sub>11</sub> unit, where the copper and gold species are presented in +1 and 0 chemical states. The Cu-dopants significantly improved the stability and fluorescence (quantum yield: ~34%, 34-folds of homo-Au<sub>25</sub>(PPh<sub>3</sub>)<sub>10</sub>Br<sub>7</sub>). The high stability of Au<sub>12</sub>Cu<sub>13</sub> is attributed to the high binding energy of iodine ligands, Au-Cu synergistic effects and its 16-electon system as an 8-electron superatom dimer. Finally, the robust Au<sub>12</sub>Cu<sub>13</sub> exhibited high catalytic activity (~92% conversion and ~84% methyl formate-selectivity) and good durability in methanol photo-oxidation.2023-01-01T00:00:00Z2023 Feb2025-04-04T18:43:18.136Z2025-04-04T18:43:18.136ZS-EPMC99088943675505610.1038/s42004-023-00817-5