The mystery of Ph3PS revealed in magic-size Ag–S cluster nucleation. Issue 45 (9th November 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wu, Wei-Hong; Gao, Yu-Quan; Lin, Yu-Fei; Yuan, Yun-Yue; Zhan, Cai-Hong; Jiang, Zhan-Guo
• Is Part Of: Dalton transactions. Volume 51:Issue 45(2022)
• Page Start: 17145
• Page End: 17149
• Publication Date: 2022-11-09
• Subjects: Chemistry, Inorganic -- Periodicals; Chemistry, Physical and theoretical -- Periodicals; Chemistry, Inorganic -- Periodicals; 546.05
• DOI: 10.1039/d2dt03418b
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1477-9226

Abstract

Abstract : PPh3 S was employed to direct the regulation of {Ag32 S3 } cluster by slowing down the kinetic process of nucleation. The process that Agn (CCBu t )m and traces of water induces breakage of PS from [Ag2 (Ph3 PS)4 ] 2+ to generate {Ag32 S3 } was established. Abstract : The synthesis of atomically precise semiconductors Ag–S clusters is a subject of intense research interest, yet the formation mechanism of such nanoclusters remains obscure due to their uncontrolled fast nucleation process in solution. Herein, we have investigated the reaction mechanism responsible for {Ag32 S3 } nucleation using UV, ESI-MS, NMR and SCXRD analyses. Triphenylphosphorus sulfide (PPh3 S) was surprisingly found to slow down the kinetic process of the cluster nucleation. Furthermore, a key precursor [Ag2 (Ph3 PS)4 ] 2+ was captured, which was attacked by Ag n (CCBu t ) m and traces of water to generate {Ag32 S3 }. This mechanism provides valuable new insights into the synthesis of inorganic magic-size clusters.