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Pillar[5]arene‐Stabilized Silver Nanoclusters: Extraordinary Stability and Luminescence Enhancement Induced by Host–Guest Interactions
Author(s) -
Muhammed Madathumpady Abubaker Habeeb,
Cruz Laila Khalil,
Emwas AbdulHamid,
ElZohry Ahmed M.,
Moosa Basem,
Mohammed Omar F.,
Khashab Niveen M.
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
angewandte chemie
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1521-3757
pISSN - 0044-8249
DOI - 10.1002/ange.201906740
Subject(s) - nanoclusters , luminescence , cationic polymerization , host–guest chemistry , chemistry , pillar , ligand (biochemistry) , selectivity , metal , photochemistry , nanotechnology , combinatorial chemistry , materials science , crystallography , supramolecular chemistry , polymer chemistry , organic chemistry , crystal structure , biochemistry , receptor , optoelectronics , structural engineering , engineering , catalysis
Herein, we report the synthesis of a new class of functional silver nanoclusters (AgNCs) capped with pillar[5]arene (P5)‐based host ligands. These NCs are readily prepared through direct synthesis or ligand exchange synthesis and are stable at room temperature for over 4 months. The pillar[5]arene‐stabilized NCs (Ag 29 (LA‐P5) 12 (TPP) 2 ) endorse reversible host–guest interactions with neutral alkylamines and cationic quaternary ammonium guests. This results in the formation of spherical assemblies with unparalleled changes in their optical properties including an astonishing circa 2000‐fold luminescence enhancement. This is the highest luminescence enhancement ratio reported so far for such atomically precise NCs. Our synthetic protocol paves the way for the preparation of a new generation of metal nanoclusters protected by macrocyclic ligands with molecular recognition and selectivity toward specific guests.