A new type of catalysts: catalysts of singly dispersed bimetallic sites

A singly dispersed bimetallic site (SDBS) M1An anchored on a nonmetallic support (X-Z) of a catalyst M1An/X-Z exhibits an electronic state that differs from a bimetallic site MxAy of a bimetallic nanoparticle catalyst M-A. The nonmetallic state of the M1An site allows activation of reactants through a pathway that differs from the bimetallic site at metallic state. In contrast to coexisting different bimetallic sites (MxAy) on a bimetallic nanoparticle, the specific coordination (1:n) of SDBSs (M1An) minimizes the choice of reaction pathways, allowing M1An/X-Z to catalyze a reaction toward a product of interest with high selectivity. The wide spectrum of transition-metal elements potentially suitable for M and A of M1An/X-Z opens a broad avenue for the development of catalysts of SDBSs (CSDBSs) M1An/X-Z for chemical transformations.