Au 57 Ag 53 (C≡CPh) 40 Br 12 : A Large Nanocluster with C 1 Symmetry

The controlled synthesis and structure determination of a bimetallic nanocluster Au 57 Ag 53 (C≡CPh) 40 Br 12 (Au 57 Ag 53 ) is presented. The metal core has a four‐shell Au 2 M 3 @Au 34 @Ag 51 @Au 20 (M=1/3 Au+2/3 Ag) architecture. In contrast to the previously reported large nanoclusters that have highly symmetric kernel structures, the metal atoms in Au 57 Ag 53 are arranged in an irregular manner with C 1 symmetry. This cluster exhibits excellent thermal stability and is robust under oxidative or basic conditions. The silver precursors play a key role in dictating the structures of the nanoclusters, which suggests the importance of the counteranions used.