@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 {162, title = {A Luminescent Cu4 Cluster Film Grown by Electrospray Deposition: A Nitroaromatic Vapour Sensor}, journal = {Nanoscale}, volume = {15}, year = {2023}, month = {04/2023}, pages = {8141-8147}, type = {Communication}, chapter = {8141}, abstract = {

We present the fabrication and use of a film of carborane-thiol protected tetranuclear copper cluster with characteristic orange luminescence using ambient electrospray deposition (ESD). Charged microdroplets of the clusters produced by an electrospray tip deposit clusters at an air-water interface to form a film. Different microscopic and spectroscopic techniques characterized the porous surface structure of the film. Visible and rapid quenching of the emission of the film upon exposure to 2-nitrotoluene (2-NT) vapours at ambient condition was observed. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations established the favourable binding sites of 2-NT with the cluster. Desorption of 2-NT upon heating recovered the original luminescence, demonstrating the reusability of the sensor. Stable emission upon exposure to different organic solvents and quenching of it upon the exposure to 2, 4-dinitrotoluene and picric acid showed selectivity of the film to nitroaromatic species.

}, keywords = {carborane, Copper, luminescence, nanocluster, nitro organic, sensor}, doi = {https://doi.org/10.1039/D3NR00416C}, url = {https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlelanding/2023/nr/d3nr00416c}, author = {Arijit Jana and B K Spoorthi and Akhil S Nair and Biswarup Pathak and Tomas Base and Thalappil Pradeep} } @article {163, title = {Macropolyhedral syn-B18H22, the {\textquotedblleft}Forgotten{\textquotedblright} Isomer}, journal = {Journal of the American Chemical Society}, volume = {145}, year = {2023}, month = {August 2, 2023}, pages = {17975-17986}, chapter = {17975}, abstract = {

The chemistry and physics of macropolyhedral B18H22 clusters have attracted significant attention due to the interesting photophysical properties of anti-B18H22 (blue emission, laser properties) and related potential applications. We have focused our attention on the {\textquotedblleft}forgotten{\textquotedblright} syn-B18H22 isomer, which has received very little attention since its discovery compared to its anti-B18H22 isomer, presumably because numerous studies have reported this isomer as nonluminescent. In our study, we show that in crystalline form, syn-B18H22 exhibits blue fluorescence and becomes phosphorescent when substituted at various positions on the cluster, associated with peculiar microstructural-dependent effects. This work is a combined theoretical and experimental investigation that includes the synthesis, separation, structural characterization, and first elucidation of the photophysical properties of three different monothiol-substituted cluster isomers, [1-HS-syn-B18H21] 1, [3-HS-syn-B18H21] 3, and [4-HS-syn-B18H21] 4, of which isomers 1 and 4 have been proved to exist in two different polymorphic forms. All of these newly substituted macropolyhedral cluster derivatives (1, 3, and 4) have been fully characterized by NMR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, single-crystal X-ray diffraction, IR spectroscopy, and luminescence spectroscopy. This study also presents the first report on the mechanochromic shift in the luminescence of a borane cluster and generally enriches the area of rather rare boron-based luminescent materials. In addition, we present the first results proving that they are useful constituents of carbon-free self-assembled monolayers.

}, keywords = {boron, boron hydride, Cluster, luminescence, macropolyhedral, NMR, PXRD, SAM, self-assembly, single crystal, solid state, syn-B18H22, XPS}, doi = {https://doi.org/10.1021/jacs.3c05530}, url = {https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/jacs.3c05530}, author = {Deepak Kumar Patel and B. S. Sooraj and Kaplan Kirakci and Jan Machacek and Monika Kucerakova and Jonathan Bould and Michal Dusek and Martha Frey and Christof Neumann and Sundargopal Ghosh and Andrey Turchanin and Thalappil Pradeep and Tomas Base} } @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 {152, title = {Formation of Highly Ordered Terminal Alkyne Self-Assembled Monolayers on the Au{111} Surface through Substitution of 1-Decaboranethiolate}, journal = {J. Phys. Chem. C}, volume = {123}, year = {2019}, pages = {1348{\textendash}1353}, abstract = {

The reaction aimed at completing and closing the open cages of 1-decaboranethiol self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) on Au{111} with 4-phenyl-1-butyne results in highly ordered monolayers of 4-phenyl-1-butyne. The initially disordered 1-decaboranethiolate changed into ordered (√3{\texttimes}√3)R 30{\textdegree} lattices on Au{111} typical of alkyne SAMs, indicating the complete substitution of 1-decaboranethiolate moieties, as determined by nanoscale imaging with scanning tunneling microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Vibrational spectroscopy results indicate that the process happens gradually and that alkynyl groups are not totally oxidized in the ordered 4-phenyl-1-butyne monolayer.

}, keywords = {alkyne, decaborane, gold, self-assembly, surface, thiol}, doi = {10.1021/acs.jpcc.8b11033}, url = {https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.jpcc.8b11033}, author = {Shenkai Wang and Dominic P Goronzy and Thomas D Young and Natcha Wattanatorn and Logan Stewart 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 {141, title = {Adsorption of oriented carborane dipoles on a silver surface}, journal = {Physica Status Solidi B}, volume = {253}, year = {2016}, month = {10 DEC 2015}, pages = {591-600}, abstract = {

Modification of surfaces with self-assembled mono-layers (SAMs) represents a powerful and innovative tool for adjusting physical and chemical properties of surfaces. The adsorption of isomeric molecules with relatively strong and oppositely oriented molecular dipoles, 1,2-(HS)2-1,2-C2B10H10 and 9,12-(HS)2-1,2-C2B10H10, on a flat silver surface is investigated in order to adjust its work function in a desired way. Time-offlight secondary ion mass spectroscopy (ToF-SIMS) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) are used to prove that both isomers (i) chemisorb on a silver surface as thiolates and (ii) exhibit comparable surface densities. Densely packed surfaces of both SAMs are additionally investigated by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, and effective surface passivation is observed. Co-deposition of both derivatives is shown to enable effective and fine adjustment of the surface work function value within a range of 1V, which is confirmed by Kelvin probe force microscopy (KPFM). Experimental data indicate faster SAM formation for the former isomer. Contribution of the interface Ag{\textendash}S bonds to the work function changes is quantified.

}, keywords = {carborane, Kelvin probe force microscopy, self-assembled monolayers, silver, time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy}, doi = {10.1002/pssb.201552446}, author = {Aliaksei Vetushka and Laetitia Bernard and Olga Guseva and Zdenek Bastl and Ji{\v r}{\'\i} Plocek and Ivo Tomandl and Antonin Fejfar and Tomas Base and Patrik Schmutz} } @article {143, title = {Surface Dipole Control of Liquid Crystal Alignment}, journal = {JACS}, volume = {138}, year = {2016}, month = {April 19, 2016}, pages = {5957-5967}, chapter = {5957}, abstract = {

Detailed understanding and control of the intermolecular forces that govern molecular assembly are necessary to engineer structure and function at the nanoscale. Liquid crystal (LC) assembly is exceptionally sensitive to surface properties, capable of transducing nanoscale intermolecular interactions into a macroscopic optical readout. Self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) modify surface interactions and are known to influence LC alignment. Here, we exploit the different dipole magnitudes and orientations of carboranethiol and dithiol positional isomers to deconvolve the influence of SAM-LC dipolar coupling from variations in molecular geometry, tilt, and order. Director orientations and anchoring energies are measured for LC cells employing various carboranethiol and dithiol isomer alignment layers. The normal component of the molecular dipole in the SAM, toward or away from the underlying substrate, was found to determine the in-plane LC director orientation relative to the anisotropy axis of the surface. By using LC alignment as a probe of interaction strength, we elucidate the role of dipolar coupling of molecular monolayers to their environment in determining molecular orientations. We apply this understanding to advance the engineering of molecular interactions at the nanoscale.

}, keywords = {carborane, Dipole, liquid crystal, surface}, doi = {10.1021/jacs.6b02026}, url = {http://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/jacs.6b02026}, author = {Jeffrey J Schwartz and Alexandra M. Mendoza and Natcha Wattanatorn and Yuxi Zhao and Vinh T Nguyen and Alexander M Spokoyny and Chad A Mirkin and Tomas Base and Paul S Weiss} } @article {121, title = {Nucleated Crystallization of Isotactic Polypropylene in Multilayered Sandwich Nanocomposites with Gold Particles}, journal = {Journal of Applied Polymer Science}, volume = {125}, year = {2012}, chapter = {4338}, doi = {10.1002/app.36589}, url = {http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/app.36589/abstract}, author = {Miroslav Slouf and Antonin Sikora and Ewa Pavlova and Helena Vlkova and Josef Baldrian and Tomas Base and Ewa Piorkowska} } @article {116, title = {Gold Micrometer Crystals Modified with Carboranethiol Derivatives}, journal = {J. Phys. Chem. C}, volume = {112}, year = {2008}, chapter = {14446}, abstract = {

The preparation and characterization of micrometer gold and silver single-crystals of well-defined shapes are reported here. The shapes of the crystals can be described as plates, polyhedra, and wires. The orientation of the crystal faces was studied using electron and X-ray powder diffraction techniques, and a (111) orientation of the large faces of gold plates was experimentally shown. The surface morphology of the crystal faces was studied by atomic force microscopy. Modifications of gold microplates with the thiolated carborane clusters 1,2-(HS)2-1,2-C2B10H10 (1), 9,12-(HS)2-1,2-C2B10H10 (2), and 1,12-(HS)2-1,12-C2B10H10 (3) are described. The carboranethiol molecules 1 and 2 show dipole moments of 4.1 and 5.9 D. In comparison, the thiolate derivative of compound 1 has a dipole moment of 4.7 D in the opposite direction to 1, and the thiolate form of compound 2 has a dipole moment of 16.7 D in the same direction. On the basis of X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analyses and values of work functions, we revealed that the molecules of 1 and 2 attached to the gold surface have similar electron distribution and dipole moments as within the free thiol derivatives. Following the modification of microplate gold crystals with 3, a monolayer of gold nanoparticles was attached on top of the carborane moieties. The composition of the surface species was studied using XPS. Dynamic contact angles of water on the modified gold surfaces are also discussed.

}, doi = {10.1021/jp802281s}, url = {http://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/jp802281s}, author = {Tomas Base and Zdenek Bastl and Miroslav Slouf and Mariana Klementova and Jan Subrt and Aliaksei Vetushka and Martin Ledinsky and Antonin Fejfar and Jan Machacek and Michael J Carr and Michael G S Londesborough} } @article {115, title = {Carboranethiol-Modified Gold Surfaces. A Study and Comparison of Modified Cluster and Flat Surfaces}, journal = {Langmuir}, volume = {21}, year = {2005}, chapter = {7776}, abstract = {

Four different carboranethiol derivatives were used to modify the surfaces of gold nanoparticles and flat gold films. The novel materials engendered from these modifications are extraordinarily stable species with surfaces that support self-assembled monolayers of 1-(HS)-1,2-C2B10H11, 1,2-(HS)2-1,2-C2B10H10, 1,12-(HS)2-1,12-C2B10H10, and 9,12-(HS)2-1,2-C2B10H10, respectively. Surprisingly, characterization of these materials revealed that a number of molecules of the carboranethiol derivatives are incorporated inside the nanoparticles. This structural feature was studied using a number of techniques, including X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), UV }, doi = {10.1021/la051122d}, url = {http://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/la051122d}, author = {Tomas Base and Zdenek Bastl and Zbynek Plzak and Tomas Grygar and Jaromir Plesek and Michael J Carr and Vaclav Malina and Jan Subrt and Jaroslav Bohacek and Eva Vecernikova and Otomar Kriz} } @article {125, title = {Synthesis and catalytic activity of spaced ferrocene oxazolines}, journal = {Collection of Czechoslovak Chemical Communications}, volume = {68}, year = {2003}, chapter = {1206}, doi = {10.1135/cccc20031206}, url = {http://cccc.uochb.cas.cz/68/7/1206/}, author = {Petr Stepnicka and Tomas Base and Ivana Cisarova and Jiri Kubista and Stepan Vyskocil and Martin Sticha} } @article {126, title = {Acid-catalyzed self-alkylation of FcCH(2)NHPh. Solid-state structures of FcCH(2)NHPh and (FcCH(2))2NPh}, journal = {Inorganic Chemistry Communications}, volume = {5}, year = {2002}, chapter = {46}, doi = {10.1016/S1387-7003(01)00346-X }, url = {http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S138770030100346X}, author = {Tomas Base and Ivana Cisarova and Petr Stepnicka} } @article {127, title = {Preparation and structures of 1 {\textquoteright}-(diphenylphosphino)ferrocenecarboxaldehyde and {1 {\textquoteright}-(diphenylphosphino)ferrocenyl}methanol}, journal = {Inorganic Chemistry Communications}, volume = {4}, year = {2001}, chapter = {682}, doi = {10.1016/S1387-7003(01)00298-2}, url = {http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1387700301002982}, author = {Petr Stepnicka and Tomas Base} }