Ligand-regulated copper nanoclusters: atomic-precision synthesis, structural evolution, and catalytic function in photo- and electrocatalysis

reduction, oxygen reduction and evolution, hydrogen evolution, and nitrate reduction. Rather than presenting a descriptive catalogue of reported Cu NCs, this review aims to establish a ligand-structure-function framework that clarifies how ligand coordination controls cluster formation, structural evolution, and catalytic behaviour. These insights may guide the rational design of Cu NC catalysts with improved activity, selectivity, and stability.