Structures and ligand binding energies of size seleceted gold and silver clusters:~ Approach to the bulk

Gold and silver clusters are formed by laser ablation, mass selected, and either reacted with ethene or subjected to ion mobility measurement.~ Structures are assigned by two methods.~ In the first sequential ligand binding energies are measured and correlated with possible structures.~ In the second experimental cross sections are correlated with cross sections from model structures.~ Both anionic and cationic clusters are measured in the size range 3 to 13.~ For the anions calculated and experimental detachment energies are also used as structural diagnostics.~ The various data are compared with bulk values and approach to the bulk assessed.