Organoimido functionalized trinuclear gold(I) clusters with fluorescent chromophore

The post-functionalization of gold nanoclusters with organic molecules into organic-inorganic hybrid functional materials is an efficient approach to develop multifunctional materials. By introducing 1-pyrenamine and 3-aminofluoranthene into [O(AuPPh3)(3)][BF4] with a covalent bond, two novel organoimido functionalized trinuclear gold nanoclusters [C16H9N(AuPPh3)(3)][BF4] (Au-3-P) and [C6H4-C10H5N(AuPPh3)(3)][BF4] (Au-3-F) have been successfully obtained. Their structures have been determined by electrospray ionization mass spectroscopy (ESI-MS) and single-crystal X-ray diffraction (SC-XRD), and the photoluminescence properties have been investigated from both experimental and theoretical aspects. It is found that the lowest-energy electronic transitions in the ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) absorption spectra of Au-3-P (403 nm) and Au-3-F (425 nm) exhibit a slight bathochromic shift compared to the corresponding transitions in the spectra of 1-pyrenamine and 3-aminofluoranthene, respectively. In addition, the dichloromethane solutions of Au-3-P and Au-3-F complexes clearly display blue and yellowish-green fluorescence, respectively. These results will help to design and prepare organic-inorganic nanocluster hybrid luminescent materials for potential applications in (bio)sensors, bioimaging and optoelectronic devices.

Automated summary

The post-functionalization of gold nanoclusters with organic molecules is an efficient approach to develop multifunctional materials. Two novel organoimido functionalized trinuclear gold nanoclusters have been successfully obtained, and their photoluminescence properties have been investigated.