Synthesis and Single Crystal X-ray Diffraction Structure of an Indium Arsenide Nanocluster

The discovery of magic sized clusters as intermediates in the synthesis of colloidal quantum dots has allowed for insight into formation pathways and provided atomically precise, molecular platforms for studying the structure and surface chemistry of those materials. The synthesis of monodisperse InAs quantum dots has been developed through the use of indium carboxylate and As(SiMe3)3 as precursors and documented to proceed through the formation of magic-sized intermediates. Herein, we report the synthesis, isolation, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction structure of an InAs nanocluster that is ubiquitous across reports of InAs quantum dot synthesis. The structure, In26As18(O2CR)24(PR’3)3, is substantially different from previously reported nanocluster structures even within the III-V family. However, it can be structurally linked to III-V and II-VI cluster structures through the anion sublattice. Further spectroscopic analysis using variable temperature absorbance spectroscopy and supported by computation deepens our understanding of the reported structure and InAs nanomaterials as a whole.