Isomeric Metal Nanocluster Catalysis and Nanocluster Asymmetric Catalysis

Due to their abundant atomic arrangement, organic ligand-protected metal nanoclusters possess interesting structural features, including structural isomerism and hierarchical chirality. Metal nanocluster isomers bearing the same molecular formula can have different surface structure, thus demonstrating distinct catalytic performance. This kind of isomeric metal nanocluster catalysis will be discussed in this chapter. On the other hand, compared to metal complexes, metal nanoclusters exhibit more diverse chiral structures, including the central chirality, axial chirality, facial chirality, asymmetric arrangement of surface motifs, and helical stacking of metal nanocluster molecules. The abundant chirality endows metal nanoclusters with potentially asymmetric catalytic performance. The metal nanocluster asymmetric catalysis will be discussed as well.