Catalytic Application of Atomically Precise Metal Clusters in Selective Hydrogenation Processes

Selective hydrogenation processes are of paramount importance to the chemical industry, and metal complexes or particles are the most important catalysts for the majority of current hydrogenation processes. Atomically precise metal clusters with precise formulas and crystallographically determined structures can build a bridge between homo- and heterogeneous catalysis. In this Perspective, we focus on the catalytic application of atomically precise metal clusters as hydrogenation catalysts. We first introduce the surface ligand effects of metal clusters on the observed catalytic performances. We then describe the influences of the atomic-packing structures, including the spatial arrangement of the metal atoms and the framework of the clusters, on the catalytic active sites of metal clusters. The doping effects put particular emphasis on the foreign metal atoms into the cluster contribution to catalysis. Besides, the support effect is concerned with the interaction of the cluster and support to tailor the overall catalytic performances. Finally, by learning these fundamental principles from well-defined metal cluster catalysis, we provide our perspectives on the design of highly active and selective catalysts for a variety of catalytic hydrogenation processes.