Polyhydrido Copper Nanocluster [Cu14H10(PPh3)8(SPhMe2)3]+ : Symmetry-Breaking by Thiolate Ligands to form Racemic Pairs of Chiral Clusters in Solid-State

Abstract A polyhydrido copper nanocluster, [Cu 14 H 10 (PPh 3 ) 8 (SR) 3 ] + (HSR = 2,4-dimethylbenzenethiol), adopting a distorted fcc structure is reported. One copper atom is “pulled” from the center of the fcc metal framework by the three thiolate ligands. The twisting of the three thiolate ligands about the threefold axis lowers the symmetry from O h (Cu 14 ) to C 3 , forming racemic pairs of intrinsic chiral clusters in solid-state.