The structure determination of metal nanoclusters protected by ligands is critical in understanding their physical and chemical properties, yet it remains elusive how the metal core and ligand of metal clusters cooperatively contribute to the observed performances. Here, with the successful synthesis of Au₄₄TBPA₂₂Cl₂ cluster (TBPA = 4-tert-butylphenylacetylene), the structural isomer of previously reported Au₄₄L₂₈ clusters (L denoted as ligand) is filled, thereby providing an opportunity to explore the property evolution rules imparted by different metal core structures or different surface ligands. Time-resolved transient absorption spectroscopy reveals that the difference in the core structure between Au₄₄TBPA₂₂Cl₂ and Au₄₄L₂₈ can bring nearly 360 times variation of excited-state lifetime, while only 3–24 times differences in excited-state lifetimes of the three Au₄₄L₂₈ nanoclusters with identical metal core but different ligands are observed, which is due to much stronger impact of the metal core than the surface ligands in the electronic energy bands of the clusters. In addition, the Au₄₄ clusters protected by alkyne ligands are shown to be highly effective toward the electrochemical oxidation of ethanol, compared to the Au₄₄ clusters capped by thiolates, which is ascribed to smaller charge transfer impedance of the former clusters. We anticipate that the study will enhance the process in controlling the nanomaterial properties by precisely tailoring metal core or surface patterns.

It remains elusive to realize the distinct catalysis of isomeric catalysts because it becomes challenging to identify structural isomers in the polydisperse nanoparticles. Herein we investigate catalysis of two geometric isomers for 36-gold-atom nanoclusters with different Au cores arrangements but the same thiolate ligands, thereby providing access to isomer catalysts readily participate in a desired reaction. Compared to the Au₃₆(SR)₂₄ with a one-dimensional (1D) layout of Au₄ tetrahedral units, the Au₃₆(SR)₂₄ with a two-dimensional (2D) layout of Au₄ tetrahedral units is more effective for the intramolecular hydroamination of alkyne. Our study suggests that the exposed Au sties of the two Au₃₆(SR)₂₄ catalysts favor different reaction intermediates and pathways. The intramolecular H transfer leads to intermediates with the C–N and with C=N for the 1D and 2D Au₃₆(SR)₂₄ respectively, and hence the different on-site and off-site pathways for the successive reaction steps account for the different performances of the two Au₃₆(SR)₂₄ catalysts.