Nitrogen Donor Protection for Atomically Precise Metal Nanoclusters

• Published in: Chemistry : a European journal Vol. 28; no. 24; pp. e202104445 - n/a
• Main Authors: Yuan, Shang‐Fu, Liu, Wen‐Di, Liu, Chun‐Yu, Guan, Zong‐Jie, Wang, Quan‐Ming
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Germany Wiley Subscription Services, Inc 27.04.2022
• Subjects: catalysis; Chemistry; ligand engineering; Ligands; metal nanocluster; Metals; Nanoclusters; Nitrogen; nitrogen donor ligand; Phosphine; Phosphines; structure; Structure-function relationships; catalysis; nitrogen donor ligand; ligand engineering; metal nanocluster; structure
• ISSN: 0947-6539; 1521-3765; 1521-3765
• DOI: 10.1002/chem.202104445

Surface organic ligands are critical in dictating the structures and properties of atomically precise metal nanoclusters. In contrast to the conventionally used thiolate, phosphine and alkynyl ligands, nitrogen donor ligands have not been used in the protection for well‐defined metal nanoclusters until recently. This review focuses on recent developments in atomically precise metal nanoclusters stabilized by different types of nitrogen donor ligands, in which the synthesis, total structure determination and various properties are covered. We hope that this review will provide insights into the rational design of N donor‐protected metal nanoclusters in terms of structural and functional modulation. Beyond the conventional thiolate, phosphine and alkynyl ligands, nitrogen donor ligands have recently emerged as protecting agents for well‐defined metal nanoclusters. Given the terminal coordination preference of the negatively charged amido and amidinate ligands with multidentate donors, interesting structural and functional features are observed for metal nanoclusters protected by these types of N donor ligands.