Synthesis of stable CunAu25-n nanoclusters (n=1-9) using selenolate ligands

A series of highly stable Cu-doped gold clusters with up to 9 Cu atoms per cluster, CunAu25-n(SeC8H17)(18), were synthesized using selenolate ligands. Spectroscopic analyses demonstrated that increasing levels of Cu doping in a cluster gradually decreased its HOMO-LUMO gap and consequently shifted its photoluminescence emission to longer wavelengths. These clusters were capable of exhibiting higher levels of Cu doping as compared to analogous clusters containing thiolate ligands.