Benzyl-rich ligand engineering of the photostability of atomically precise gold nanoclusters

A series of [core + exo]-type Au-8 nanoclusters (NCs) bearing two benzyl-rich ligands on the exo gold atoms were synthesized, which exhibit significant photostability and chemical stability. Furthermore, the benzyl-rich ligands enhance the emission intensity of Au NCs. The better performance of the benzyl-rich ligand- modified Au-8 NCs as cell imaging agents implies potential utility of benzyl-rich ligands for modulating the photophysical properties of gold nanoclusters.