Doping Copper Atoms into the Nanocluster Kernel: Total Structure Determination of [Cu30Ag61(SAdm)38S3](BPh4)

Doping active metal (i.e., Cu) into the kernel of noble metal nanoclusters (i.e., Au/Ag nanocluster) remains challenging in the synthesis of alloy nanoclusters. Herein, we report the synthesis and the total structure determination of a bimetallic [Ag61Cu30(SAdm)(38)S-3]BPh4 (Ag61Cu30) nanocluster. The Ag61Cu30 nanocluster is composed of an Ag-13@Cu-30 kernel which is further capped by a peripheral Ag-48(SAdm)(38)S-3 shell. The icosidodecahedron Cu-30 middle layer connects the innermost icosahedral Ag-13 core and Ag atoms at the outermost Ag-48(SR)(38)S-3 shell, demonstrating that the Cu atoms in the Cu-30 layer are in a metallic state.