Superatomic Gallium Clusters in Dendrimers: Unique Rigidity and Reactivity Depending on their Atomicity

Synthesis of atom-precise supported metal clusters via solid-phase peptide synthesis

While the utility of supported metal and alloy clusters as catalytic materials is widely recognized, their precise synthesis remains a challenge. Here, we demonstrate the precise synthesis of these clusters via metallopeptides. This technique is characterized by its ability to be automated using Merrifield's solid-phase peptide synthesis (SPPS). Metallopeptides with iron and platinum complexes in their side chains have been prepared using this SPPS. These metallopeptides were successfully transformed into the corresponding supported metal clusters by heating in a hydrogen atmosphere.

Controlled Synthesis of Au25 Superatom Using a Dendrimer Template

Superatoms are promising materials for their potential in elemental substitution and as new building blocks. Thus far, various synthesis methods of thiol-protected Au clusters including an Au₂₅ superatom have been investigated. However, previously reported methods were mainly depending on the thermodynamic stability of the aimed clusters. In this report, a synthesis method for thiol-protected Au clusters using a dendrimers template is proposed. In this method, the number of Au atoms was controlled by the stepwise complexation feature of a phenylazomethine dendrimer. Therefore, synthesis speed was increased compared with the case without the dendrimer template. Hybridization for the Au₂₅ superatoms was also achieved using the complexation control of metals.