Co-ligand triphenylphosphine/alkynyl-stabilized undecagold nanocluster with a capped crown structure

We report the synthesis and crystal structure of novel co-ligand phosphine/alkynyl protected Au nanoclusters, with composition [Au-11(PPh3)(8) (C CPh-CF3)(2)](SbF6) (1). The gold atoms in the cluster as a capped crown structure subtend C-3v symmetry with one deriving from a central icosahedron and 10 peripheral Au atoms, and all alkynides are exclusively a coordination bonding. The mean core diameter is about 5.1 angstrom and the overall van der Waals diameter can be estimated to be 20.5 angstrom. The optical absorbance of 1 in solution reveals characteristic peaks at 384 and 426 nm and a shoulder between 450 and 550 nm.