Nanoparticles are currently synthesized with a materials approach, similar to polymer chemistry, wherein the products are only approximately uniform.  Ultimately, however, we would like to develop rational strategies to synthesize molecular nanoparticles, similar to organic chemistry. The first two steps have been taken: (i) showing that nanoparticles can indeed exist as molecules, and (ii) showing that single-sized products can be produced by size separations or by destroying less stable species. The latter methods inherently produce small quantities of product. Herein we show that it is possible to directly synthesize gram-scale quantities of Ag44(SR)30 molecules with >90% yield and with no post processing or size separations. These silver cluster molecules are stable for extended periods of time in solid form and in solution in solvents ranging from water to toluene. There appears to be no principle upper limit to the scale of the synthesis, which suggests that kilogram scales of pure product should be achievable.

Direct gram-scale chemical synthesis of pure Ag<sub>44</sub>(SR)<sub>30</sub> cluster molecules

245th National Meeting (2013)

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Direct gram-scale chemical synthesis of pure Ag44(SR)30 cluster molecules

Direct gram-scale chemical synthesis of pure Ag₄₄(SR)₃₀ cluster molecules