Synthesis of stable CunAu25−n nanoclusters (n = 1–9) using selenolate ligands

A series of highly stable Cu-doped gold clusters with up to 9 Cu atoms per cluster, Cu(n)Au(25-n)(SeC8H17)18, were synthesized using selenolate ligands. Spectroscopic analyses demonstrated that increasing levels of Cu doping in a cluster gradually decreased its HOMO-LUMO gap and consequently shifted its photoluminescence emission to longer wavelengths. These clusters were capable of exhibiting higher levels of Cu doping as compared to analogous clusters containing thiolate ligands.