A comparative study on atomically precise Au nanoclusters as catalysts for the aldehyde–alkyne–amine (A(3)) coupling reaction: ligand effects on the nature of the catalysis and efficiency

Atomically precise Au(13) nanoclusters stabilized by stibines catalyze the aldehyde–alkyne–amine coupling reaction more efficiently than those stabilized by thiols or phosphines. The nature of the catalytic activity is also different, and may be attributed to the weaker coordinating ability of the stibine ligands.