Recent Advances in the Synthesis, Isolation, and Structural Regulation of Atomically Precise Coinage Metal Nanoclusters

Abstract

Ligand-protected coinage metal nanoclusters are ultrasmall (<3 nm) materials that occupy the transitional domain between molecular complexes and nanoparticles. Traditional synthetic methodologies for creating atomically precise nanoclusters, such as the two-phase Brust synthesis and the one-pot reduction process, are extensively utilized. Evidence suggests that the formation of nanoclusters is influenced by a delicate interplay of multiple variables, including precursors, reduction kinetics, and ligand coordination. Recently, several strategies have emerged to broaden and complement the synthesis and isolation of coinage metal nanoclusters. These include engineered direct reduction of passivated precursors, use of weak reducing agents, chromatography separation, and the cluster-to-cluster synthetic approach. Additionally, template synthesis has demonstrated significant applicability in the assembly and structural regulation of clusters. This review systematically consolidates recent advancements in the synthesis, isolation, and structural regulation of coinage metal nanoclusters, while also providing perspectives on future development. Such progress is poised to effectively bridge the fields of molecular chemistry and nanoscience, thereby opening new pathways for the atomically precise fabrication of innovative functional materials.