Ag11(SG)7 : A New Cluster Identified by Mass Spectrometry and Optical Spectroscopy

We report a one-step and high yield synthesis of a red-luminescent silver cluster with the molecular formula, Ag11(SG)7 (SG: glutathionate) via reduction of silver ions by sodium borohydride in the presence of the tripeptide, glutathione (GSH). The as-prepared cluster shows prominent absorption features at 485 and 625 nm in its UV-vis absorption spectrum. Aging of the as-prepared cluster solution led to the disappearance of the 625 nm peak, followed by broadening of the 485 nm peak to give three maxima at ?487, 437, and 393 nm in its absorption spectrum. These peaks remain unchanged even after polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE), where a single band was observed confirming high purity…