Thiacalix[4]arene-protected alkynyl Agn (n = 9, 18) nanoclusters: syntheses, structural characterizations, photocurrent responses and fluorescence properties

Two thiacalix[4]arene-protected silver(i) alkynyl nanoclusters, [Na2(H2O)2][Ag9(TC4A)(tBuC≡C)4(CH3OH)2(SbF6)0.5(OH)2.5]·3.5H2O·CH3OH (1, abbreviated as Ag9) and [Ag9(TC4A)(tBuC≡C)4(CF3COO)]2·4CH3OH (2, abbreviated as Ag18), were synthesized by the reaction of [tBuC≡CAg]n, p-tert-butylthiacalix[4]arene (H4TC4A), NaBH4, and AgSbF6 or CF3COOAg in the mixed solvent of methanol-trichloromethane-toluene under solvothermal conditions, respectively. Driven by SbF6− and CF3COO− with different coordination properties, the structural unit [Ag9(TC4A)(tBuC≡C)4]+ in both the compounds migrated in different modes, accompanied by distinct Ag⋯Ag distances. Ag9 and Ag18 exhibit similar UV-Vis absorption and diffuse reflection spectra along with contrary tendency between photocurrent responses and solid-state fluorescence. The solution stability of Ag9 and Ag18 was demonstrated by 1H NMR and MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. The fluorescence responses of Ag9 and Ag18 towards different organic molecules were also investigated, which indicated that the polarity of solvent has a certain effect on the emission intensities of Ag9 and Ag18. This study provides a positive guide for the controlled synthesis and further study of the structure–activity relationship of thiacalix[4]arene-protected silver alkynyl nanoclusters.