Controlling nanoparticles with atomic precision has long been a dream of nanochemists. This dream has first been realized in the case of gold nanoparticles. However, it is still a challenge to systematically control the size of atomically precise gold nanoclusters within one synthetic protocol. Here we report a strategy to synthesize three different magic-sized gold nanoclusters, i.e., Au130(p-MBT)50, Au104(m-MBT)41 and Au40(o-MBT)24 by exploring the subtle structural difference in para-, meta-, ortho-methylbenzenethiol (MBT) ligands. The decreasing size sequence is in line with the increasing hindrance of the methyl group to the interfacial Au–S bond. That the small change of ligand structure can result in drastically different magic sizes under otherwise similar reaction conditions is indeed a surprise in the synthesis of thiolate-protected gold nanoclusters. In future, this strategic approach may lead to the discovery of new magic-sized gold nanoclusters.

Tuning the magic size of atomically precise gold nanoclusters via isomeric methylbenzenethiols: Small change makes big difference

251st National Meeting (2016)

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