Structure Determination of Alkynyl‐Protected Gold Nanocluster Au₂₂(^tBuC≡C)₁₈ and Its Thermochromic Luminescence

Abstract

An alkynyl-protected gold nanocluster, Au₂₂ (^t BuC≡C)₁₈ (1), has been synthesized and its structure has been determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The molecular structure consists of a Au₁₃ cuboctahedron kernel and three [Au₃ (^t BuC≡C)₄ ] trimeric staples. The cluster 1 has strong luminescence in the solid state with a 15 % quantum yield, and it displays interesting thermochromic luminescence as revealed by temperature-dependent emission spectra. The enhanced room-temperature emission is characterized as thermally activated delayed fluorescence.