Citation: Jiaojiao Zhang, Yifan Wu, Yifei Li, Fuxing Lin, Shengchang Xiang, Xi Fan, Zhangjing Zhang. Molecular tweezers in thiolate-protected Cu(Ⅰ) clusters: A framework platform for investigating ligand effects in cluster catalysis[J]. Chinese Chemical Letters, ;2026, 37(6): 111003. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111003 shu

Molecular tweezers in thiolate-protected Cu(Ⅰ) clusters: A framework platform for investigating ligand effects in cluster catalysis

Jiaojiao Zhang ^{a, 1} ,
Yifan Wu ^{a, b, 1} ,
Yifei Li ^a ,
Fuxing Lin ^{b, *,} ,
Shengchang Xiang ^a ,
Xi Fan ^{a, *,} ,
Zhangjing Zhang ^{a, *,}

a.
College of Chemistry and Materials Science, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou 350117, China
b.
College of Resources and Chemical Engineering, Sanming University, Sanming 365004, China

fuxingangel@163.com

fanxi@fjnu.edu.cn

zzhang@fjnu.edu.cn

Received Date: 21 December 2024
Revised Date: 16 February 2025
Accepted Date: 25 February 2025
Available Online: 25 February 2025

Figures(4)

Scarce investigations have focused on coinage metal clusters possessing fixed cores but varying binding ligands in the context of catalysis. Here in this work, we successfully employed two types of carboxylic acid-based molecular tweezers to selectively capture two Cu₆ clusters (Cu₆-a and Cu₆-b). Cu₆-a and Cu₆-b have identical cluster cores but different protected ligands, therefore provide accurate platform for investigating ligand effects in cluster catalysis. Notably, Cu₆-b represents a rare example of a two-directional rod framework, marking the first instance of such a structure in coinage metal cluster-based MOFs. The integration of oxygen within OBB significantly enhances local spatial polarization, facilitating the charge separation and ROS generation efficiency of Cu₆-b under visible-light irradiation. Consequently, the oxygen-containing Cu₆-b exhibits superior photocatalytic performance in the aerobic oxidation of sulfide, achieving both high yield and selectivity. This work provides a valuable approach for precisely control the Cu clusters structures to regulate their properties.
- Coinage metal clusters,
- Cu nanoclusters,
- Framework,
- Molecular tweezers,
- Ligand effects
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