Radical-induced core destruction of monolayer-protected metal clusters

Chlorine radicals formed by the UV irradiation of solvents such as CCl4 react with alkanethiolate-protected gold and silver clusters forming the corresponding metal salts and variously halogenated disulfides. Reaction rates depend on the chain length of the monolayer; whereas the reaction is over within tens of seconds for clusters protected with shorter chain monolayers, those with longer chains need several minutes for complete conversion.