Coassembly between the Largest and Smallest Metal Chalcogenide Supertetrahedral Clusters

Atomically precise metal chalcogenide supertetrahedral clusters: frameworks to molecules, and structure to function

Metal chalcogenide supertetrahedral clusters (MCSCs) are of significance for developing crystalline porous framework materials and atomically precise cluster chemistry. Early research interest focused on the synthetic and structural chemistry of MCSC-based porous semiconductor materials with different cluster sizes/compositions and their applications in adsorption-based separation and optoelectronics. More recently, focus has shifted to the cluster chemistry of MCSCs to establish atomically precise structure-composition-property relationships, which are critical for regulating the properties and expanding the applications of MCSCs. Importantly, MCSCs are similar to II-VI or I-III-VI semiconductor nanocrystals (also called quantum dots, QDs) but avoid their inherent size polydispersity and structural ambiguity. Thus, discrete MCSCs, especially those that are solution-processable, could provide models for understanding various issues that cannot be easily clarified using QDs. This review covers three decades of efforts on MCSCs, including advancements in MCSC-based open frameworks (reticular chemistry), the precise structure-property relationships of MCSCs (cluster chemistry), and the functionalization and applications of MCSC-based microcrystals. An outlook on remaining problems to be solved and future trends is also presented.

Cocrystals of Atomically Precise Noble Metal Nanoclusters

Cocrystallization is a phenomenon involving the assembly of two or more different chemical entities in a lattice, occurring typically through supramolecular interactions. In this concept, recent advancements in the cocrystallization of atomically precise noble metal clusters and their potential future directions are presented. Different strategies to create coassemblies of thiolate-protected noble metal nanoclusters are presented first. An approach is the simultaneous synthesis, and cocrystallization of two clusters having similar structures. A unique pair of clusters found recently, namely Ag₄₀ and Ag₄₆ with same core but different shell are taken to illustrate this. In another category, the case of the same core is presented, namely Ag₁₁₆ with different shells, as in a mixture of Ag₂₁₀ and Ag₂₁₁ . Next, an intercluster reaction is presented to create cocrystals through selective crystallization of the reaction products. The coexistence of competing effects, magic sizes, and magic electron shells in a coassembly of alloy nanoclusters is discussed next. Finally, an assembly strategy for nanoclusters using electrostatic interactions is described. This concept is concluded with a future perspective on the emerging possibilities of such solids. Advancements in this field will certainly help the development of novel materials with exciting properties.

Supertetrahedral anions in the phosphidosilicates Na1.25Ba0.875Si3P5 and Na31Ba5Si52P83

Solid ionic conductors are one key component of all-solid-state batteries, and recent studies with lithium, sodium and potassium phosphidosilicates revealed remarkable ion conduction capabilities in these compounds. We report the synthesis and crystal structures of two quaternary phosphidosilicates with sodium and barium, which crystallize in new structure types. Na1.25Ba0.875Si3P5 contains layers of T3 supertetrahedra, while Na31Ba5Si52P83 forms defect T5 entities and contains Si-Si bonds and P3 trimers. Though T1-relaxometry data indicate a relatively low activation energy for Na+ migration of 0.16 eV, the crystal structures lack sufficient three-dimensional migration paths necessary for fast sodium ion conductvity.

New layered supertetrahedral compounds T2-MSiAs2, T3-MGaSiAs3 and polytypic T4-M 4Ga5SiAs9 (M = Sr, Eu)

The new supertetrahedral compounds MSiAs2, MGaSiAs3 and mC/tI-M 4Ga5SiAs9 (M = Sr, Eu) have been synthesized by solid-state reactions at high temperatures. The structures were determined by single crystal or powder X-ray diffraction. MSiAs2 and MGaSiAs3 crystallize in the monoclinic TlGaSe2- and RbCuSnS3-type structures, respectively (space group C2/c). These are topologically hierarchical variants of the tetragonal HgI2-type structure with stacked layers of T2 or T3 supertetrahedra. The T4 compounds M 4Ga5SiAs9 are dimorphic and form new structure types in the space groups C2/c and I41/amd, respectively. The latter exhibits coinciding layer stacking as known from tetragonal HgI2. The T4 compounds close the gap between the longer known T2 types and the recently reported compounds with T5 and T6 supertetrahedra. Measurements of the optical band gap, electrical resistivity and Hall Effect support the semiconducting nature of M 4Ga5SiAs9. Magnetization measurements confirm Eu2+ in Eu4Ga5SiAs9 and indicate ferromagnetism below T = 2 K.

Three new metal chalcogenide open frameworks built through co-assembly and/or hybrid assembly from supertetrahedral T5-InOS and T3-InS nanoclusters

Reported here are three new metal chalcogenide open frameworks built from supertetrahedral T5-InOS (or o-T5) and T3-InS nanoclusters via co-assembly and/or hybrid assembly modes.

A unique non-interpenetrated open-framework chalcogenide with a large cavity

A unique non-interpenetrated open-framework chalcogenide with a large cavity was reported.

Assembly of supertetrahedral clusters into a Cu–In–S superlattice via an unprecedented vertex–edge connection mode

We demonstrated the first case of a vertex–edge inter-cluster connection mode in a three-dimensional open-framework chalcogenide built from the largest known T5 cluster.

A novel copper-rich open-framework chalcogenide constructed from octahedral Cu4Se6 and icosahedral Cu8Se13 nanoclusters

A unique open-framework chalcogenide was constructed from two kinds of cluster-based secondary building units (SBUs), namely, the icosahedral Cu₈Se₁₃ cluster and the octahedral Cu₄Se₆ cluster.

Structural complexity in indium selenides prepared using bicyclic amines as structure-directing agents

The synthesis and characterization of five new indium selenides, [C9H17N2]3[In5Se(8+x)(Se2)(1-x)] (1-2), [C6H12N2]4[C6H14N2]3[In10Se15(Se2)3] (3), [C6H14N2][(C6H12N2)2NaIn5Se9] (4) and [enH2][NH4][In7Se12] (5), are described. These materials were prepared under solvothermal conditions, using 1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec-7-ene (DBU) and 1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane (DABCO) as structure-directing agents. Compounds 1-4 represent the first examples of ribbons in indium selenides, and 4 is the first example of incorporation of an alkali metal complex. Compounds 1, 2 and 4 contain closely related [In5Se(8+x)(Se2)(1-x)](3-) ribbons which differ only in their content of (Se2)(2-) anions. These ribbons are interspaced by organic countercations in 1 and 2, while in 4 they are linked by highly unusual [Na(DABCO)2](+) units into a three-dimensional framework. Compound 3 contains complex ribbons, with a long repeating sequence of ca. 36 Å, and 4 is a non-centrosymmetric three-dimensional framework, formed as a consequence of the decomposition of DABCO into ethylenediamine (en) and ammonia.

Stepwise assembly of a semiconducting coordination polymer [Cd8S(SPh)14(DMF)(bpy)]n and its photodegradation of organic dyes

A semiconducting coordination polymer with 1D helical structure was constructed by stepwise assembly of chalcogenolate clusters and organic linkers.

A hybrid linkage mode between T2,2 and T3 selenide clusters

The synthesis and structural characterization of a multi-level 3D selenide framework with a novel T2,2–T3 linkage mode.

A nano-scale triangular ring cluster of indium–selenide: the structure and templating effect

The preparation and crystal structure of a novel nano-scale triangular In₃₃Se₆₀ ring cluster are reported. An inverse second-sphere coordination templating effect is responsible for the formation of the unusual triangular ring. The optical and electronic properties of the nanoring cluster are discussed.

[Mn2Ga4Sn4S20]8− T3 supertetrahedral nanocluster directed by a series of transition metal complexes

Three new manganese gallium tin sulfides based on T3 supertetrahedral nanocluster of [Mn₂Ga₄Sn₄S₂₀]⁸⁻ have been solvothermally synthesized and structurally characterized. The photocatalytic, second-order nonlinear optical and luminescence properties, as well as thermal stabilities of the title compounds were also studied.