A review of modern transition-metal nanoclusters: their synthesis, characterization, and applications in catalysis

A literature review of modern transition-metal nanoclusters, with an emphasis on those nanoclusters which are catalytically active, is presented in two parts. Part One presents background information on transition-metal nanoclusters, including an overview of common synthetic routes, a description of how nanoclusters are stabilized, and a brief summary of the multiple characterization techniques used (and the type of information that they can provide). In Part Two, five specific nanocluster case studies are presented, case studies which compare and contrast the syntheses, characterization approaches, and catalytic applications of transition-metal nanoclusters.