Largest discrete supertetrahedral clusters synthesized in ionic liquids

Abstract

Four discrete T5 cluster compounds with Cu–M–S constituents (M = In for compound 1, Ga for 2–4) have been synthesized in an ionic liquid (IL) [Bmmim]Cl (Bmmim = 1-butyl-2,3-dimethyl-imidazolium), which represent the largest molecular clusters in a Tn series. The in situ decomposition of the IL generates the Bim ligand (Bim = 1-butyl-2-methyl-imidazole) that directly coordinates to some of the corner Ga³⁺ ions of the T5 clusters in 3–4, leading to the formation of the first inorganic–organic hybrid T5 clusters. 2–4 show significantly broad photoluminescent emission bands ranging from 500 to 800 nm with a full width at half maximum (fwhm) at about 180 nm. This research provides a new method for synthesizing molecular metal chalcogenides that uses ILs as a reactive solvent and stabilizer.