Oxidation Reactions Catalyzed by Atomically Well-Defined Gold Clusters

Abstract

International @ MATERIAUX+CLA:ATU:ADMInternational audienceSub-2 nm gold clusters have attracted more attention since atomically well-defined and monodisperse thiolate capped ones have been successfully isolated. These clusters, with Aun(SR)m formula, are formed by a precise number n of gold atoms comprised between ~10 and few hundred and stabilized by m thiolate molecules. In this communication we investigate the influence of gold atoms number, the type of ligand at the surface and also the support effect on different aerobic oxidation reactions. More importantly, we pointed out that while still being functionalized; gold nanoclusters are active and highly selective in epoxidation of trans-stilbene