Synthesis of Highly Stable CdSe Magic‐Size Clusters Displaying Optical Absorption Peaking at 272 Nm

ABSTRACT We report the transformation from CdSe magic‐size clusters (MSCs, including those displaying optical absorption peaking at ∼360 nm (MSC‐360) and at ∼390 nm (MSC‐391) to MSC‐272. In the presence of diphenylphosphine (DPP) and a Cd salt (such as Cd(OcA) 2 ), the absorption peaks at 360 and 390 nm of the reactant MSCs disappeared, while that at 272 nm developed. We attribute the 272 nm peak to MSC‐272, which has not been reported previously. For the transformation pathway, we suggest that the reactant MSCs become two parts, A (CdSe reactive species) and B (activated selenium anions Se 2− ); Part B then transforms to SeDPP. Ultimately, MSC‐272 develops from the reaction of A + SeDPP + Cd(OcA) 2 . Various cadmium salts of carboxylates and phosphonates are able to synthesize MSC‐272 that is stable even at 300°C. Our study paves the way to novel MSCs, together with a fundamental CdSe MSCs, Ligand‐Induced Transformation, Low Temperature Synthesis, Solvent Dispersibility, Thermal stabilityunderstanding of the cluster transformation.