Atomically Precise Gold Catalysis - Atomically-Precise Methods for Synthesis of Solid Catalysts - page 116

Table 4.2 Catalysis results of Au 25 clusters for styrene oxidation reaction in the
presence/absence of magnetic field.

Selectivity for products formed (%)

Total
conversion
(%)

Catalysis
conditions

Reaction
conditions

Benzal-
dehyde

Styrene
oxide

Benzene
acetaldehyde

Aceto-
phenone

d n 9 r 4 n g | 7

Magnetic Styrene,

TBHP,
Acetonitrile,
75 1C,
Au 25 (SR) 18 @
SiO 2

56 29 4 11 76

Non-
magnetic

Styrene,
TBHP,
Acetonitrile,
75 1C,
Au 25 (SR) 18 @
SiO 2

70 22 3 5 77

4.6 Conclusions and Future Perspective
Atomically precise nanoclusters are a new class of nanocatalysts that
hold great promise for investigating the fundamental aspects of nanocata-
lysis unlike the traditional nanoparticle catalysts. 111 Based on our discussion
in this chapter, it is clear that there is a great opportunity to correlate
both electronic and magnetic structure of the clusters with their catalytic
activity. In addition, we believe that the field of atomically precise catalysis
is moving in the right direction and its impact will be felt in the following
ways:

.

1. With sizes ranging from about a ten to a few hundred atoms, atomically
precise nanoclusters are rapidly gaining attraction among researchers.
Well-defined atomically precise clusters with desired sizes can be
achieved through careful control over synthetic conditions. Also,
atomically precise clusters supported on oxide materials serve as a new
model system for nanocatalysis to probe the interaction of the catalysts
and supports.
2. With extensive literature now available on the electronic and geometric
structures of the atomically precise clusters, a correlation of its
structure-property relationships could be more thoroughly and pre-
cisely investigated. The correlation of the crystal structure of these
nanoclusters with their catalytic properties will provide significant
guidelines for the future design of catalysts, with atomic precision, for
any specific chemical reaction. A computational analysis in combin-
ation with this correlation will be critical for a better understanding of
the design elements.
3. The ability to follow the catalytic processes with atomic precision is an
unfulfilled need in the field of nanoscience. The use of XAS techniques
(EXAFS and XANES) for obtaining fundamental electronic information