Heterogeneous Catalysis by Gold Clusters

Recent research achievements show that gold clusters can display very different catalytic properties than gold nanoparticles (NPs) in many reactions. For example, gold clusters can efficiently catalyze the epoxidation of styrene and propylene with molecular oxygen as the oxidant, while gold NPs are entirely inactive. In the selective oxidation of various alcohols to aldehydes and even acids, gold clusters also display much higher catalytic activities than gold nanoparticles. This chapter summarizes the progress achieved in the catalysis by gold clusters in the last few years. In addition, advances in the syntheses and characterizations of gold clusters are also reviewed.