When a homometallic cluster, Cu6L6, and a homometallic Ag8L8 cluster are dissolved in the DCM/Isopropanol system, they would form a heterometallic cluster crystal, Cu4Ag4L8, and no homometallic metal clusters will be formed. (L is phenylacetylene-derived ligand)
What is the most likely driving force for the formation of this coinage heterometallic clusters?
The most likely driving force for the formation of the heterometallic cluster Cu4Ag4L8 instead of the homometallic clusters Cu6L6 and Ag8L8 is the electronic stabilization and thermodynamic favorability associated with heterometallic bonding. The combination of copper and silver atoms likely leads to more favorable metal-metal and metal-ligand interactions, creating a more stable cluster. Additionally, the process increases entropy due to the mixing of different metals, which is entropically favorable. The phenylacetylene-derived ligands may also preferentially stabilize a mixed-metal environment, while the DCM/Isopropanol solvent system could further drive the equilibrium towards the formation of the heterometallic cluster through specific solvation effects. Together, these factors result in a lower free energy and a more stable heterometallic cluster.
Thermodynamics.
Lol, yeah I get you meant specifics. I would be curious to see if DFT could tease out what's going on.
Reference for the chemistry?
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