A triflate and alkynyl protected Ag43 nanocluster with a passivated surface.

A trifluoromethanesulfonate (OTf) and tert-butylacetylene ( t BuC[triple bond, length as m-dash]C-) co-protected silver nanocluster (NC), Ag43( t BuC[triple bond, length as m-dash]C)24(CF3SO3)8 (Ag43), was synthesized and characterized. Single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis revealed its total structure. 43 Ag atoms are arranged into a three-concentric-shell Ag@Ag12@Ag30 structure. Both OTf and t BuC[triple bond, length as m-dash]C- ligands bonded with Ag atoms in a µ3 mode. The application of Ag43 as a catalyst for the reaction of silane with alcohol or H2O indicated that the surface ligands had a profound passivation effect, which significantly influenced the reactivity and selectivity.