A Photoluminescent Ag10Cu6 Cluster Stablized by a PNNP Ligand and Phenylacetylides Selectively and Reversibly Senses Ammonia in Air and Water

Abstract A photoluminescent bimetallic cluster [Ag 10 Cu 6 (bdppthi) 2 (C≡CPh) 12 (MeOH) 2 (H 2 O)](ClO 4 ) 4 ( 1 , bdppthi= N,N’ ‐bis(diphenylphosphanylmethyl)‐tetrahydroimidazole} was synthesized from the PNNP type ligand bdppthi generated in‐situ. Upon excitation at 365 nm, 1 exhibited strong phosphorescent emission at 630 nm, which was selectively quenched by NH 3 in air or water. The sensing of NH 3 was rapid and recoverable, with detection limits of 53 ppm (v/v) in N 2 and 21 μmol/L (0.36 ppm, w/w) for NH 3 ⋅ H 2 O in water. Cluster 1 could potentially serve as a bifunctional chemical sensor for the efficient detection of ammonia in waste‐gas and waste‐water.