Isolation of the Magic-Size CdSe Nanoclusters [(CdSe)13(n-octylamine)13] and [(CdSe)13(oleylamine)13]†

The preparation, isolation, stoichiometric characterization, and dissolution of purified (CdSe)13 nanoclusters are described. We[1] and others[2] recently reported that (CdSe)13 nanoclusters were intermediates in the synthesis of CdSe quantum belts (nanoribbons). We now demonstrate that a lamellar intermediate phase[1] collected from the quantum-belt synthesis is [(CdSe)13(n-octylamine)13], the smallest, discrete, magic-size nanocluster of CdSe that has been observed.[3] Kinetic data show that free, soluble [(CdSe)13(oleylamine)13] nanoclusters are released from the insoluble [(CdSe)13(n-octylamine)13] upon ligand exchange.