A chloride-doped silver-sulfide cluster [Ag148S26Cl30(CCBut)60]6+: hierarchical assembly, enhanced luminescence and cytotoxicity to cancer cells

The formation of high-nuclear silver(i) clusters remains elusive and their potential applications are still underdeveloped. Herein, we report an unprecedented gigantic Ag-148 ([Ag148S26Cl30(C CBut)(60))(SbF6)(6)) cluster co-templated by Cl(- )and S2-, which was well-defined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction and high-resolution mass spectrometry. The cluster exhibits a hierarchical structure consisting of fused Ag24X16 kernel, Ag60X20 shell and cluster of clusters assembling of four pentagonal concave polyhedral {Ag16X5} units. Furthermore, the silver cluster emits red light at room temperature with a prominent 39.6% QY. The cellular uptake and cytotoxicity indicate that Ag-148 induces apoptosis of cancer cells in a dose-dependent manner.

Automated summary

The study reported an unprecedented gigantic Ag-148 cluster co-templated by Cl(- )and S2-, which was well-defined and exhibited a hierarchical structure. Additionally, the silver cluster emits red light at room temperature with a prominent quantum yield.