A Cages‐on‐Cluster Structure Constructed by Post‐Clustering Covalent Modifications and Guest‐Enabled Stimuli‐Responsive Luminescence

Abstract

AbstractA gold(I)‐cluster‐based twin‐cage has been constructed by post‐clustering covalent modification of a hexa‐aldehyde cluster precursor with triaminotriethylamines. The cages‐on‐cluster structure has double cavities and four binding sites, which show site‐discriminative binding for silver(I) and copper(I) guests. The guests in the tripodal hats affect the luminescence of the cluster: the tetra‐silver(I) host–guest complex is weakly red‐emissive, while the bis‐copper(I)‐bis‐silver(I) one is non‐emissive but is a stimuli‐responsive supramolecule. The copper(I) ion inside the tri‐imine cavity is oxidation sensitive, which enables the release of the bright emissive precursor cluster triggered by H2O2 solution. The hybridization of a cluster with cavities to construct a cluster‐based cage presents an innovative concept for functional cluster design, and the post‐clustering covalent modification opens up new avenues for finely tuning the properties of clusters.