Simple and Selective Synthesis of Copper‐Containing Metal Nanoclusters Using (PPh<sub>3</sub>)<sub>2</sub>CuBH<sub>4</sub> as Reducing Agent
Hui Shen, Ying‐Zi Han, Qingyuan Wu, Jian Peng, Boon K. Teo, Nanfeng Zheng
Abstract
Abstract A simple and selective synthetic protocol, using (PPh 3 ) 2 CuBH 4 as reducing agent, for Cu‐containing mixed metal nanoclusters (NCs) is reported. Representative NCs include alkynyl‐protected [Ag 25 Cu 4 (PhCC) 12 (PPh 3 ) 12 Cl 6 H 8 ] 3+ ( 1 ), thiolate‐capped [AuCu 14 (SR) 12 (PPh 3 ) 6 ] + (R = 4‐flurothiophenol) ( 2 ), and phosphine‐stabilized [Au 9 Cu 2 (PPh 3 ) 8 Cl 2 ] + ( 3 ), which are fully characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis, electrospray ionization mass, nuclear magnetic resonance ( 1 H, 2 H, 13 C, and 31 P NMR), and optical measurements, respectively. This work demonstrates the advantages of using (PPh 3 ) 2 CuBH 4 as a reducing agent in the synthesis of Cu‐containing heterometallic NCs in terms of versatility as well as high yield and high purity of the products. This work may open the door to utilizing functional metal borohydride, as a new generation of reducing agent for the simple and selective synthesis of metal NCs.