Photosynergetic ligand-exchange for modular synthesis of copper nanoclusters.
basic_science · Level V
Where this comes from
- Record sourced from PubMed, PMID 41667500.
- Also identified by DOI 10.1038/s41467-026-69444-7 and PMC identifier 13003039.
- Licence recorded as CC BY-NC-ND.
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Abstract
The abundance, low cost, and distinctive properties of copper are driving increased interest in copper nanoclusters. However, modular synthesis of such clusters remains underdeveloped. Here, we report a modular strategy for constructing copper nanoclusters via the synergistic combination of photochemical activation and nanoscale ligand-exchange. Using a readily scalable precursor-[Cu<sub>14</sub>(TXP35)<sub>4</sub>(BnSe)<sub>12</sub>H]<sup>+</sup> (Cu<sub>14</sub>)-we demonstrate its photo-facilitated ligand-exchange with exogenous phosphine ligands, enabling the precise synthesis of 18 copper nanoclusters. This approach also allows functional motifs, such as chiral ligands, to be incorporated into the cluster framework. Mechanistic studies supported by in situ characterization reveal that upon light exposure, Cu<sub>14</sub> decomposes into diverse intermediates-including copper atoms/clusters, selenium, benzyl groups, TXP35, and their combinations-which then reassemble in the presence of external ligands to form new nanoclusters. Our modular nanosynthesis establishes a versatile platform for the atomic-level engineering of copper nanoclusters and is expected to advance the tailored design of cluster-based nanomaterials.