Simultaneous self-assembly of a cage-like silver(I) complex encapsulating an Ag-6 neutral cluster core and carbon dioxide fixation

A novel mixed-valent Ag-I/Ag-0 T-h-Ag-34 cage was obtained by a one-pot ultrasonic reaction. In the shell of the cage, CO32- anion is derived from atmospheric CO2 and adopts a rare mu(6) bridging mode to link the Ag-I ions. In the core of the cage, an unprecedented neutral metal cluster with six zero-valent silver atoms is encapsulated.