@article {169, title = {Mechanochromic luminescence in copper nanoclusters: resolving structural transitions through microcrystal electron diffraction}, journal = {Chemical Communications}, year = {2025}, month = {06/2025}, type = {Communication}, abstract = {

MicroED reveals insights into mechanochromic luminescence in copper nanoclusters, demonstrating structural transitions from crystalline to amorphous state upon grinding, with restoration of crystallinity following solvent exposure. Luminescence switching occurs due to reversible amorphization-recrystallization rather than chemical changes, providing critical design principles for such stimuli-responsive materials.

}, keywords = {Carboranethiol, Cluster, crystals, Cu4, ED, electron diffraction, luminescence}, doi = {https://doi.org/10.1039/D5CC02594J}, url = {https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlelanding/2025/cc/d5cc02594j}, author = {Harshita Nagar and Subrata Duary and Vivek Yadav and Amoghavarsha Ramachandra Kini and Sudhadevi Antharjanam and Tomas Base and Anirban Som and Brent L. Nannenga and Thalappil Pradeep} } @article {166, title = {Nanomechanical Investigations of Crystals of Copper Nanocluster Isomorphs: Enhanced Hardness of the Low-Density Analogue}, journal = {Chemistry of Materials}, year = {2025}, month = {01/2025}, type = {Full article}, abstract = {

Atomically precise cluster crystals, with constituent units composed of tens to hundreds of atoms, are important for the construction of miniaturized solid-state devices. Understanding the mechanical characteristics of such crystals is crucial for these applications. In this study, we focused on the nanomechanical properties of crystals of two isomorphic copper nanoclusters (Cu4L4), protected by ortho-carborane-9-thiol, Cu4(oCBT)4, and meta-carborane-9-thiol, Cu4(mCBT)4. These two clusters possess identical square planar Cu4 cores embedded in butterfly-shaped Cu4S4 staples. Load{\textendash}displacement measurements indicated that the crystals of Cu4(oCBT)4 (hardness of \~{}534.31 MPa) were harder than those of Cu4(mCBT)4 (hardness of \~{}335.49 MPa). Despite their lower density, crystals of Cu4(oCBT)4 demonstrated increased hardness, owing to the presence of locked slanted layers that efficiently interacted with each other through various short contact supramolecular interactions. During indentation studies, multiple {\textquotedblleft}pop-in{\textquotedblright} events were observed for the crystals of both clusters, suggesting the dislocation of molecular layers within the crystal lattice. Dynamic mechanical analysis conducted at different loading frequencies indicated that crystals of Cu4(oCBT)4 have a higher storage modulus than Cu4(mCBT)4. Both the crystals are thermally robust, as evident from thermogravimetric analysis and attenuated total reflection-IR analysis. Using density functional theory, we calculated Young{\textquoteright}s modulus (Er) for both crystals at 1 and 2\% strain and found that the high-density isomorph had a lower Er, consistent with experimental data showing Er of Cu4(oCBT)4 and Cu4(mCBT)4 to be 9.79 and 8.54 GPa, respectively. These findings highlight the significant role of subtle structural differences in governing the nanomechanical behavior of isomorphic cluster crystals, paving the way for their rational design in advanced solid-state device applications.

}, keywords = {carborane, Copper, indentation, nanocluster, nanomechanical, thiol, Young{\textquoteright}s modulus}, doi = {https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.chemmater.4c03265}, url = {https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.chemmater.4c03265}, author = {Amoghavarsha R Kini and Sanghamitra Debta and Arijit Jana and C Aparna and Vivek Yadav and Nataliia Kusiak and Tomas Base and Umesh V Waghmare and Pijush Ghosh and Thalappil Pradeep} } @article {167, title = {Site-specific substitution in atomically precise carboranethiol-protected nanoclusters and concomitant changes in electronic properties}, journal = {Nature Communications}, volume = {16}, year = {2025}, month = {01/2025}, type = {Full article}, chapter = {1197}, abstract = {

We report the synthesis of [Ag17(o1-CBT)12]3- abbreviated as Ag17, a stable 8e$^{-}$ anionic cluster with a unique Ag@Ag12@Ag4 core-shell structure, where o1-CBT is ortho-carborane-1-thiol. By substituting Ag atoms with Au and/or Cu at specific sites we created isostructural clusters [AuAg16(o1-CBT)12]3- (AuAg16), [Ag13Cu4(o1-CBT)12]3- (Ag13Cu4) and [AuAg12Cu4(o1-CBT)12]3- (AuAg12Cu4). These substitutions make systematic modulation of their structural and electronic properties. We show that Au preferentially occupies the core, while Cu localizes in the tetrahedral shell, influencing stability and structural diversity of the clusters. The band gap expands systematically (2.09\ eV for Ag17 to 2.28\ eV for AuAg12Cu4), altering optical absorption and emission. Ultrafast optical measurements reveal longer excited-state lifetimes for Cu-containing clusters, highlighting the effect of heteroatom incorporation. These results demonstrate a tunable platform for designing nanoclusters with tailored electronic properties, with implications for optoelectronics and catalysis.

}, keywords = {Alloy, boron, carborane, Cluster, Copper, gold, luminescence, Metal, silver, Structure, thiol}, doi = {https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-56385-w}, url = {https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-025-56385-w}, author = {Vivek Yadav and Arijit Jana and Swetashree Acharya and Sami Malola and Harshita Nagar and Ankit Sharma and Amoghavarsha Ramachandra Kini and Sudhadevi Antharjanam and Jan Machacek and Kumaran Nair Valsala Devi Adarsh and Tomas Base and Hannu H{\"a}kkinen and Thalappil Pradeep} } @article {164, title = {Competing Intermolecular and Molecule{\textendash}Surface Interactions: Dipole{\textendash}Dipole-Driven Patterns in Mixed Carborane Self-Assembled Monolayers}, journal = {Chemistry of Materials}, volume = {36}, year = {2024}, month = {February 8, 2024}, pages = {2085-2095}, type = {Article}, chapter = {2085}, abstract = {

Carboranedithiol isomers adsorbing with opposite orientations of their dipoles on surfaces are self-assembled together to form mixed monolayers where both lateral dipole{\textendash}dipole and lateral thiol{\textendash}thiolate (S{\textendash}H{\textperiodcentered}{\textperiodcentered}{\textperiodcentered}S) interactions provide enhanced stability over single-component monolayers. We demonstrate the first instance of the ability to map individual isomers in a mixed monolayer using the model system carboranedithiols on Au{111}. The addition of methyl groups to one isomer provides both an enhanced dipole moment and extra apparent height for differentiation via scanning tunneling microscopy (STM). Associated computational investigations rationalize favorable interactions of mixed pairs and the associated stability changes that arise from these interactions. Both STM images and Monte Carlo simulations yield similarly structured mixed monolayers, where approximately 10\% of the molecules have reversed dipole moment orientations but no direct chemical attachment to the surface, leading to homogeneous monolayers with no apparent phase separation. Deprotonating the thiols by depositing the molecules under basic conditions eliminates the lateral S{\textendash}H{\textperiodcentered}{\textperiodcentered}{\textperiodcentered}S interactions while accentuating the dipole{\textendash}dipole forces. The molecular system investigated is composed of isomeric molecules with opposite orientations of dipoles and identical surface packing, which enables the mapping of individual molecules within the mixed monolayers and enables analyses of the contributions of the relatively weak lateral interactions to the overall stability of the assemblies.

}, keywords = {2D assembly, boron, carborane, Cluster Molecules, Dipole-dipole, Molecular interactions, Molecular structure, scanning tunneling microscopy, Supramolecular chemistry}, doi = {https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.chemmater.3c03210}, url = {https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.chemmater.3c03210}, author = {Katherine E. White and Erin M. Avery and Edison Cummings and Zixiang Hong and Jens Langecker and Aliaksei Vetushka and Michal Dusek and Jan Machacek and Jakub Vi{\v s}n{\'a}k and Jan Endres and Zdenek Bastl and Ersen Mete and Anastassia N. Alexandrova and Tomas Base and Paul S. Weiss} } @article {165, title = {Multicolor photoluminescence of Cu14 clusters modulated using surface ligands}, journal = {Chemical Science}, year = {2024}, month = {07/2024}, type = {Full article}, abstract = {

Copper nanoclusters exhibit unique structural features and their molecular assembly results in diverse photoluminescence properties. In this study, we present ligand-dependent multicolor luminescence observed in a Cu14 cluster, primarily protected by ortho-carborane-9,12-dithiol (o-CBDT), featuring an octahedral Cu6 inner kernel enveloped by eight isolated copper atoms. The outer layer of the metal kernel consists of six bidentate o-CBDT ligands, in which carborane backbones are connected through μ3-sulphide linkages. The initially prepared Cu14 cluster, solely protected by six o-CBDT ligands, did not crystallize in its native form. However, in the presence of N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF), the cluster crystallized along with six DMF molecules. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction (SCXRD) revealed that the DMF molecules were directly coordinated to six of the eight capping Cu atoms, while oxygen atoms were bound to the two remaining Cu apices in antipodal positions. Efficient tailoring of the cluster surface with DMF shifted its luminescence from yellow to bright red. Luminescence decay profiles showed fluorescence emission for these clusters, originating from the singlet states. Additionally, we synthesized microcrystalline fibers with a one-dimensional assembly of DMF-appended Cu14 clusters and bidentate DPPE linkers. These fibers exhibited bright greenish-yellow phosphorescence emission, originating from the triplet state, indicating the drastic surface tailoring effect of secondary ligands. Theoretical calculations provided insights into the electronic energy levels and associated electronic transitions for these clusters. This work demonstrated dynamic tuning of the emissive excited states of copper nanoclusters through the efficient engineering of ligands.

}, keywords = {carborane, Carboranethiol, Cluster, Copper, Cu14, luminescence, single-crystal, thiol}, doi = {https://doi.org/10.1039/D4SC01566E}, url = {https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlelanding/2024/sc/d4sc01566e?fbclid=IwY2xjawEbPEpleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHSdHrudEy8SHjsokfQULtsUmfvHic2gEFr4U065NwJ6qN1LFmIkYwaAntQ_aem_eQUA0V-1Rl2jNgjrSiijPw}, author = {Arijit Jana and Subrata Duary and Amitabha Das and Amoghavarsha Ramachandra Kini and Swetashree Acharya and Jan Machacek and Biswarup Pathak and Tomas Base and T. Pradeep} } @article {161, title = {Carborane-thiol protected copper nanoclusters: Stimuli-responsive materials with tunable phosphorescence}, journal = {Chemical Science}, volume = {14}, year = {2023}, month = {12/2023}, pages = {1613-1626}, type = {Article}, chapter = {1613}, abstract = {

Atomically precise nanomaterials with tunable solid-state luminescence attract global interest. In this work, we present a new class of thermally stable isostructural tetranuclear copper nanoclusters (NCs), shortly Cu4@oCBT, Cu4@mCBT and Cu4@ICBT, protected by nearly isomeric carborane thiols: ortho-carborane-9-thiol, meta-carborane-9-thiol and ortho-carborane 12-iodo 9-thiol, respectively. They have a square planar Cu4 core and a butterfly-shaped Cu4S4 staple, which is appended with four respective carboranes. For Cu4@ICBT, strain generated by the bulky iodine substituents on the carboranes makes the Cu4S4 staple flatter in comparison to other clusters. High-resolution electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (HR ESI-MS) and collision energy-dependent fragmentation, along with other spectroscopic and microscopic studies confirm their molecular structure. Although none of these clusters show any visible luminescence in solution, bright μs-long phosphorescence is observed in their crystalline forms. The Cu4@oCBT and Cu4@mCBT NCs are green emitting with quantum yields (Ф) of 81 and 59 \%, respectively, whereas Cu4@ICBT is orange emitting with a Φ of 18 \%. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations reveal the nature of their respective electronic transitions. The green luminescence of Cu4@oCBT and Cu4@mCBT clusters get shifted to yellow after mechanical grinding, but it is regenerated after exposure to solvent vapour, whereas the orange emission of Cu4@ICBT is not affected by mechanical grinding. Structurally flatten Cu4@ICBT didn{\textquoteright}t show mechonoresponsive luminescence in contrast to other clusters, having bent Cu4S4 structures. Cu4@oCBT and Cu4@mCBT are thermally stable up to 400 {\textdegree}C. The Cu4@oCBT retained green emission even upon heating to 200 {\textdegree}C under ambient conditions, while Cu4@mCBT changed from green to yellow in the same window. This is the first report on structurally flexible carborane thiol appended Cu4 NCs having stimuli-responsive tunable solid-state phosphorescence.

}, keywords = {boron, Cluster, Copper, Cu4L4, Phosphorescence, Responsive}, doi = {https://doi.org/10.1039/D2SC06578A}, url = {https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlelanding/2023/sc/d2sc06578a}, author = {Arijit Jana and Madhuri Jash and Wakeel Ahmed Dar and Jayoti Roy and Papri Chakraborty and Paramasivam Ganesan and Sergei Lebedkin and Kaplan Kirakci and Sujan Manna and P. K. Sudhadevi Antharjanam and Jan Machacek and Monika Kucerakova and Sundargopal Ghosh and Kamil Lang and Manfred Kappes and Tomas Base and T. Pradeep} } @article {158, title = {Carboranethiol-Protected Propeller-Shaped Photoresponsive Silver Nanomolecule}, journal = {Inorganic Chemistry}, volume = {61}, year = {2022}, month = {May 27, 2022}, pages = {8593-8603}, type = {Article}, chapter = {8593}, abstract = {

We report the synthesis, structural characterization, and photophysical properties of a propeller-shaped Ag21 nano-molecule with six rotary arms, protected with m-carborane-9-thiol (MCT) and triphenylphosphine (TPP) ligands. Structural analysis reveals that the nanomolecule has an Ag13 central icosahedral core with six directly connected silver atoms and two more silver atoms connected through three Ag-S-Ag bridging motifs. While 12 MCT ligands protect the core through metal-thiolate bonds in a 3-6-3-layered fashion, two TPP ligands solely protect the two bridging silver atoms. Interestingly, the rotational orientation of a silver sulfide staple motif is opposite to the orientation of carborane ligands, resembling the existence of a bidirectional rotational orientation in the nanomolecule. Careful analysis reveals that the orientation of carborane ligands on the cluster{\textquoteright}s surface resembles an assembly of double rotors. The zero circular dichroism signal indicates its achiral nature in solution. There are multiple absorption peaks in its UV-vis absorption spectrum, characteristic of a quantized electronic structure. The spectrum appears as a fingerprint for the cluster. High-resolution electrospray ionization
mass spectrometry proves the structure and composition of the nanocluster in solution, and systematic fragmentation of the molecular ion starts with the loss of surface-bound ligands with increasing collision energy. Its multiple optical absorption features are in good agreement with the theoretically calculated spectrum. The cluster shows a narrow near-IR emission at 814 nm with a Stokes shift of 355 nm. The Ag21 nanomolecule is thermally stable at ambient conditions up to 100 {\textdegree}C. However, white-light illumination (lamp power = 120-160 W) shows photosensitivity, and this induces structural distortion, as confirmed by changes in the Raman and electronic absorption spectra. Femtosecond and nanosecond transient absorption studies reveal an exceptionally stable excited state having a lifetime of 3.26 {\textpm} 0.02 μs for the carriers, spread over a broad wavelength region of 500-650 nm. The formation of core-centered long-lived carriers in the excited state is responsible for the observed light-activated structural distortion.

}, keywords = {Ag21, boron, carborane, clusters, double rotor, luminescence, silver, thiol}, doi = {https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.inorgchem.2c00186}, url = {https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.inorgchem.2c00186}, author = {Arijit Jana and Parvathy M Unnikrishnan and Ajay K Poonia and Jayoti Roy and Madhuri Jash and Ganesan Paramasivam and Jan Machacek and Kumaran Nair Valsala Devi Adarsh and Tomas Base and Thalappil Pradeep} } @article {157, title = {Light-Activated Intercluster Conversion of an Atomically Precise Silver Nanocluster}, journal = {ACS Nano}, volume = {15}, year = {2021}, pages = {15781-15793}, type = {Full Article}, abstract = {

Noble metal nanoclusters protected with carboranes, a 12-vertex, nearly icosahedral boron{\textendash}carbon framework system, have received immense attention due to their different physicochemical properties. We have synthesized ortho-carborane-1,2-dithiol (CBDT) and triphenylphosphine (TPP) coprotected [Ag42(CBDT)15(TPP)4]2{\textendash} (shortly Ag42) using a ligand-exchange induced structural transformation reaction starting from [Ag18H16(TPP)10]2+ (shortly Ag18). The formation of Ag42 was confirmed using UV{\textendash}vis absorption spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, infrared spectroscopy, and multinuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Multiple UV{\textendash}vis optical absorption features, which exhibit characteristic patterns, confirmed its molecular nature. Ag42 is the highest nuclearity silver nanocluster protected with carboranes reported so far. Although these clusters are thermally stable up to 200 {\textdegree}C in their solid state, light-irradiation of its solutions in dichloromethane results in its structural conversion to [Ag14(CBDT)6(TPP)6] (shortly Ag14). Single crystal X-ray diffraction of Ag14 exhibits Ag8{\textendash}Ag6 core{\textendash}shell structure of this nanocluster. Other spectroscopic and microscopic studies also confirm the formation of Ag14. Time-dependent mass spectrometry revealed that this light-activated intercluster conversion went through two sets of intermediate clusters. The first set of intermediates, [Ag37(CBDT)12(TPP)4]3{\textendash} and [Ag35(CBDT)8(TPP)4]2{\textendash} were formed after 8 h of light irradiation, and the second set comprised of [Ag30(CBDT)8(TPP)4]2{\textendash}, [Ag26(CBDT)11(TPP)4]2{\textendash}, and [Ag26(CBDT)7(TPP)7]2{\textendash} were formed after 16 h of irradiation. After 24 h, the conversion to Ag14 was complete. Density functional theory calculations reveal that the kernel-centered excited state molecular orbitals of Ag42 are responsible for light-activated transformation. Interestingly, Ag42 showed near-infrared emission at 980 nm (1.26 eV) with a lifetime of \>1.5 μs, indicating phosphorescence, while Ag14 shows red luminescence at 626 nm (1.98 eV) with a lifetime of 550 ps, indicating fluorescence. Femtosecond and nanosecond transient absorption showed the transitions between their electronic energy levels and associated carrier dynamics. Formation of the stable excited states of Ag42 is shown to be responsible for the core transformation.

}, keywords = {carboranes silver nanoclusters intercluster conversion near-infrared emission luminescence ultrafast electron dynamics}, doi = {https://doi.org/10.1021/acsnano.1c02602}, url = {https://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/acsnano.1c02602}, author = {Arijit Jana and Madhuri Jash and Ajay Kumar Poonia and Ganesan Paramasivam and Md Rabiul Islam and Papri Chakraborty and Sudhadevi Antharjanam and Jan Machacek and Sundargopal Ghosh and Kumaran Nair Valsala Devi Adarsh and Tomas Base and Thalappil Pradeep} } @article {156, title = {The Au25(SR)18 cluster carrying icosahedral dodecaborate and glutathione ligands: A spectroscopic view}, journal = {Journal of Physics and Chemistry of Solids}, year = {2020}, type = {Primary research article}, abstract = {

The functionality of Au25(S-glutathione)18 clusters change when some of the ligands in the cluster shell are replaced for other species. In this study we report on the synthesis and characterisation of a new cluster in which undecahydro-closo-dodecaborate thiolates are introduced as constituents of the shell surrounding the gold core. This is the first reported example in which the Au13 core of the Au25(S-glutathione)18 cluster is covered with an Au{\textendash}S{\textendash}B linkage instead of an Au{\textendash}S{\textendash}C on the dimeric shell units using a ligand exchange reaction. The spectra of the new cluster species clearly indicate a successful ligand exchange while retaining the gold core with undisrupted semirings containing both thiolate species. The resulting clusters were identified as Au25 [(S-glutathione)18-x (S-closo-borate)x-)] (x\ =\ 3, 4). Despite the achiral character of the closo-borate thiolates entering the semiring, increased chirality traces were observed in the high-energy region. Circular dichroism (CD) responses are ligand dependent and provide a fingerprint characteristic of the ligands present in the cluster. The next generation of such surface functionalized clusters provides unique base for computational and application studies.

}, keywords = {Chirality, Coating, Optoelectronic nanomaterials, Spectroscopy}, doi = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpcs.2020.109838}, url = {https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0022369720307411?via\%3Dihub}, author = {Eva Valusova and Maria Kanuchova and Tomas Base and Viktor Viglasky and Marian Antalik} } @article {155, title = {Influence of Terminal Carboxyl Group on Structure and Reactivity of Functionalized m-Carboranethiolate Self-Assembled Monolayers}, journal = {Chemistry of Materials}, volume = {32}, year = {2020}, month = {07/2020}, pages = {6800-6809}, type = {Article}, chapter = {6800}, abstract = {

The structure and function of self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) at the nanoscale are determined by the steric and electronic effects of their building blocks. Carboranethiol molecules form pristine monolayers that provide tunable two-dimensional systems to probe lateral and interfacial interactions. Additional ω-functionality, such as carboxyl groups, can be introduced to change the properties of the exposed surfaces. Here, two geometrically similar isomeric m-carborane analogs of m-mercaptobenzoic acid, 1 COOH-7-SH-1,7-C2B10H10 and racem-1-COOH-9-SH-1,7-C2B10H10, are characterized and their SAMs on Au{111} are examined. The latter isomer belongs to the rare group of chiral cage molecules and becomes, to our knowledge, the first example assembled on Au{111}. Although different in symmetry, molecules of both isomers assemble into similar hexagonal surface patterns. The nearest neighbor spacing of 8.4 {\textpm} 0.4 {\r A} is larger than that of non-carboxylated isomers, consistent with the increased steric demands of the carboxyl groups. Computational modeling reproduced this spacing and suggests a tilt relative to the surface normal. However, tilt domains are not observed experimentally, suggesting the presence of strong lateral interactions. Analyses of the influence of the functional groups through the pseudo-aromatic m carborane skeleton showed that the thiol group attached to either carbon or boron atoms increases the carboxyl group acidity in solution. In contrast, the acidity of the exposed carboxyl group in the SAMs decreases upon surface attachment; computational analyses suggest that the driving force of this shift is the dielectric of the environment in the monolayer as a result of confined intermolecular interactions, proximity to the Au surface, and partial desolvation.

}, keywords = {acidity, carborane, carboxyl, monolayer, SAM, self-assembly}, doi = {https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.chemmater.0c02722}, url = {https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.chemmater.0c02722}, author = {Dominic P Goronzy and Jan Stanek and Erin Avery and Han Guo and Zdenek Bastl and Michal Dusek and Nathan M Gallup and Saliha Gun and Monika Kucerakova and Brian J Levandowski and Jan Machacek and Vaclav Sicha and John C Thomas and Adem Yavuz and K N Houk and M Fatih Danisman and Ersen Mete and Anastassia N Alexandrova and Tomas Base and Paul S Weiss} } @article {149, title = {Acid-Base Control of Valency within Carboranedithiol Self-Assembled Monolayers: Molecules Do the Can-Can}, journal = {ACS Nano}, volume = {12}, year = {2018}, month = {02/2018}, pages = {2211{\textendash}2221}, type = {Full paper}, chapter = {2211}, abstract = {

We use simple acid-base chemistry to control the valency in self-assembled monolayers of two different carboranedithiol isomers on Au{111}. Monolayer formation proceeds via Au-S bonding, where manipulation of pH prior to or during deposition enables the assembly of dithiolate species, monothiol/monothiolate species, or combination. Scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) images identify two distinct binding modes in each unmodified monolayer, where simultaneous spectroscopic imaging confirms different dipole offsets for each binding mode. Density functional theory calculations and STM image simulations yield detailed understanding of molecular chemisorption modes and their relation with the STM images, including inverted contrast with respect to the geometric differences found for one isomer. Deposition conditions are modified with controlled equivalents of either acid or base, where the coordination of the molecules in the monolayers is controlled by protonating or deprotonating the second thiol/thiolate on each molecule. This control can be exercised during deposition to change the valency of the molecules in the monolayers, a process that we affectionately refer to as the {\textquotedblleft}can-can.{\textquotedblright} This control enables us to vary the density of molecule-substrate bonds by a factor of two without changing the molecular density of the monolayer.

}, keywords = {carborane, dipoles, molecules switch, nanoscience, scanning tunneling microscopy, self-assembled monolayer, self-assembly, two dimensional}, doi = {10.1021/acsnano.7b09011}, url = {https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acsnano.7b09011}, author = {John C Thomas and Dominic P. Goronzy and Andrew C Serino and Harsharn S Auluck and Olivia R Irving and Elisa Jimenez-Izal and Jacqueline M Deirmenjian and Jan Machacek and Philippe Sautet and Anastassia N Alexandrova and Tomas Base and Paul S Weiss} } @article {139, title = {Self-Assembled p-Carborane Analog of p-Mercaptobenzoic Acid on Au{111}}, journal = {Chemistry of Materials}, volume = {27}, year = {2015}, month = {06/2015}, pages = {5425{\textendash}5435}, type = {Article}, chapter = {5425}, abstract = {

Thep-carborane cluster analog of p-mercaptobenzoic acid, 1

}, keywords = {boron compounds, carborane, crystallography, scanning tunneling microscopy, self-assembly}, doi = {10.1021/acs.chemmater.5b02263}, url = {http://pubs.acs.org/doi/pdf/10.1021/acs.chemmater.5b02263}, author = {John C Thomas and Ishtvan Boldog and Harsharn S Auluck and Pablo J Bereciartua and Michal Dusek and Jan Machacek and Zdenek Bastl and Paul S Weiss and Tomas Base} } @article {160, title = {Carborane-thiol protected copper nanoclusters: Stimuli-responsive materials with tunable phosphorescence }, journal = {Chemical Science}, abstract = {

Atomically precise nanomaterials with tunable solid-state luminescence attract global interest. In this work, we present a new class of thermally stable isostructural tetranuclear copper nanoclusters (NCs), shortly Cu4@oCBT, Cu4@mCBT and Cu4@ICBT, protected by nearly isomeric carborane thiols: ortho-carborane-9-thiol, meta-carborane-9-thiol and ortho-carborane 12-iodo 9-thiol, respectively. They have a square planar Cu4 core and a butterfly-shaped Cu4S4 staple, which is appended with four respective carboranes. For Cu4@ICBT, strain generated by the bulky iodine substituents on the carboranes makes the Cu4S4 staple flatter in comparison to other clusters. High-resolution electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (HR ESI-MS) and collision energy-dependent fragmentation, along with other spectroscopic and microscopic studies confirm their molecular structure. Although none of these clusters show any visible luminescence in solution, bright μs-long phosphorescence is observed in their crystalline forms. The Cu4@oCBT and Cu4@mCBT NCs are green emitting with quantum yields (Ф) of 81 and 59 \%, respectively, whereas Cu4@ICBT is orange emitting with a Φ of 18 \%. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations reveal the nature of their respective electronic transitions. The green luminescence of Cu4@oCBT and Cu4@mCBT clusters get shifted to yellow after mechanical grinding, but it is regenerated after exposure to solvent vapour, whereas the orange emission of Cu4@ICBT is not affected by mechanical grinding. Structurally flatten Cu4@ICBT didn{\textquoteright}t show mechonoresponsive luminescence in contrast to other clusters, having bent Cu4S4 structures. Cu4@oCBT and Cu4@mCBT are thermally stable up to 400 {\textdegree}C. The Cu4@oCBT retained green emission even upon heating to 200 {\textdegree}C under ambient conditions, while Cu4@mCBT changed from green to yellow in the same window. This is the first report on structurally flexible carborane thiol appended Cu4 NCs having stimuli-responsive tunable solid-state phosphorescence.

}, keywords = {boron, carborane, Cluster, Copper, Phosphorescence, Responsive, thiol}, doi = {https://doi.org/10.1039/D2SC06578A}, url = {https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlelanding/2023/sc/d2sc06578a}, author = {Arijit Jana and Madhuri Jash and Wakeel A Dar and Jayoti Roy and Papri Chakraborty and Paramasivam Ganesan and Sergei Lebedkin and Kaplan Kirakci and Sujan Manna and P. K. Sudhadevi Antharjanam and Jan Machacek and Monika Kucerakova and Sundargopal Ghosh and Kamil Lang and Manfred Kappes and Tomas Base and T. Pradeep} }