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

Abstract

Abstract An alkynyl‐protected gold nanocluster, Au 22 ( 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 Au 13 cuboctahedron kernel and three [Au 3 ( 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.