Stellacci et al. reported synthesizing aryl thiol protected Ag44(SR)30 nanoclusters that were apparently single sized.1 The optical spectrum had 8 distinct molecule-like absorption bands spanning the visible spectrum, giving rise to the term intensely and broadly absorbing nanoclusters (IBAN's)1,2,3. These spectral properties make IBAN's good candidates for light-harvesting applications2. Thus far, however, synthetic procedures have been time-consuming and produce low yields of relatively unstable clusters. For example, while solution phase stability is good, solid phase stability is poor, which restricts possible applications. In the present study, we directly synthesized pure Ag44(p-MBA)30M4 clusters without size separations, as confirmed by mass spectroscopy, where p-MBA is p-mercaptobenzoic acid and M+ is a counterion. Yields >90% were achieved by judicious choice of reaction conditions and by stabilization of the final product. These silver clusters were found to be stable in both solution and solid form for extended periods of time.                                                                                         References:1 Bakr, O. M.; Amendola, V.; Aikens, C. M.;Wenseleers,W.; Lee,R.; Dal Negro, L.; Schatz, G. C.; Stellacci, F. Angew. Chem., Int. Ed. 2009 , 48, 5921�5926. 2 Pelton, M.; Tang, Y.; Bakr, O. M.; Stellacci, F. J. Am. Chem Soc., 2012, 134, 11856-11859 3 Harkness, K. M.; Tang, Y.; Dass, A.; Pan, J.; Kothalawala, N.; Reddy, V.J.; Cliffel, D. E.; Demeler, B.; Stellacci, F.; Bakr, O. M.;  McLean, J. A. Nanoscale, 2012, 4(14), 4269-4274

High-yield single product synthesis of Ag44(p-MBA)30M4 nanoclusters

245th National Meeting (2013)

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