We herein demonstrate a hydride-mediated selective transformation of [MAu8(PPh3)8]2+ into MAu24L18 cluster (M = Au+, Pd, Pt; L = RS–, RC≡C–). Hydride-doped gold cluster [HMAu8(PPh3)8]+ reacted efficiently with AuL electrophiles to selectively afford a pure MAu24L18 in a high yield. This hydride-mediated process will open up an avenue of large-scale, aimed synthesis of new metal clusters with atomic precision.
Liquid-crystalline (LC) organic dendron is one of the most representatives to form spherical dendrimer-like structures by the self-assembling property. Such spherical assembly spontaneously forms a self-organized periodical structure. Thus, we focused our attention on introduction of such self-organization ability into inorganic NPs. As a result, self-assembling quantum dots (QDs) have been obtained via the attachment of LC dendrons to the surface of CdS QDs. The dendronized CdS QDs form a cubic LC structure with an unusually low P213 symmetry. Moreover, the dendronized CdS QDs show a unique LC structure-dependent photoluminescence quenching.
Boron, a typical metal element in group 13 of the periodic table, has been utilized for various materials including glasses, ceramics, and magnets. Besides, the unique bonding properties enable a stable cluster structure and borohydride compounds. In this article, we describe functional polymers using a boron-based reducing agent and dendrimers. BH3 can be stabilized when it forms a complex with a Lewis base. We synthesized a “reducing capsule” by an accumulation of BH3 units in dendritic phenylazometines (DPAs) which contain basic phenylazomethine branches. This reducing capsule can afford a cluster with a controlled number of metal atoms since only BH3 units in each capsule can reduce the metal ions. This method enables a precise synthesis of metal clusters without metal assembly process. We demonstrated precise syntheses of Ag, Pt and other metal clusters using the reducing capsule.