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The Multifaceted Reactivity of Single‐Atom Heterogeneous Catalysts
Author(s) -
Mitchell Sharon,
Vorobyeva Evgeniya,
PérezRamírez Javier
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
angewandte chemie international edition
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 5.831
H-Index - 550
eISSN - 1521-3773
pISSN - 1433-7851
DOI - 10.1002/anie.201806936
Subject(s) - nanoclusters , steric effects , reactivity (psychology) , catalysis , atom (system on chip) , homogeneous , metal , nanotechnology , population , chemistry , materials science , stereochemistry , organic chemistry , physics , computer science , medicine , alternative medicine , demography , pathology , sociology , thermodynamics , embedded system
Single‐atom heterogeneous catalysts (SACs) attached to carefully chosen hosts are attracting considerable interest; principally because they offer maximum utilization per metal atom and are usually readily recyclable. However, diminution of the atomic population of nanoparticles or nanoclusters to single atoms can significantly alter reactivity because of the consequent changes in the active‐site structure. By examining various diverse applications, we ascertain whether the performance of SACs is enhanced or suppressed. We also note that SACs generally display unique kinds of catalytic cycles. The choice of host is crucial since it influences both the electronic and steric environment of the metal center. Moreover, it may function as a cocatalyst. All these aspects impact upon the design of new SACs, which exhibit similarities to hetero‐ and homogeneous predecessors. Additionally, SACs offer a viable replacement of soluble metal complexes in processes that remain difficult to heterogenize.