Au₂₄(SAdm)₁₆ Nanomolecules: X-ray Crystal Structure, Theoretical Analysis, Adaptability of Adamantane Ligands to Form Au₂₃(SAdm)₁₆ and Au₂₅(SAdm)₁₆, and Its Relation to Au₂₅(SR)₁₈

Here we present the crystal structure, experimental and theoretical characterization of a Au24(SAdm)16 nanomolecule. The composition was verified by X-ray crystallography and mass spectrometry, and its optical and electronic properties were investigated via experiments and first-principles calculations. Most importantly, the focus of this work is to demonstrate how the use of bulky thiolate ligands, such as adamantanethiol, versus the commonly studied phenylethanethiolate ligands leads to a great structural flexibility, where the metal core changes its shape from five-fold to crystalline-like motifs and can adapt to the formation of Au(24±1)(SAdm)16, namely, Au23(SAdm)16, Au24(SAdm)16, and Au25(SAdm)16. The basis for the construction of a thermodynamic phase diagram of Au nanomolecules in terms of ligands and solvent features is also outlined.