Transformation of Atomically Precise Nanoclusters by Ligand-Exchange

Owing to their atomically precise structures, metal nanoclusters have always served as model molecular tools to dissect nanoparticle surface chemistry and to investigate structure–property correlations. Ligand exchange of the well-defined nanoclusters, occupying a significant position in the nanoparticle conversion chemistry, allows for an atomic-level knowledge and understanding of the structural transformations and the corresponding property variations. This review covers recent advances of the ligand exchange of atomically precise nanoclusters. We first present the structural transformations induced by ligand exchange, ranging from homo-gold/silver/copper nanoclusters to alloyed nanoclusters. The ligand effects in reshaping nanoclusters are disclosed as well. We further discuss the accurate conversion routes of these ligand-exchange induced structure transformations. Then, we elaborate on the ligand-exchange induced property variations, such as optical absorptions, fluorescence, catalysis, stability, magnetism, and so on. At the end of this review, the current challenges in researching the ligand exchange of nanoclusters, as well as some personal perspectives toward the future of this field, are proposed. This review hopefully provides researchers attempting to study the ligand exchange of metal nanoclusters with a synthetic toolbox of techniques that will offer more tailor-made approaches to transform nanoclusters over compositions and constructions. This review is based on publications available up to August 2019.