Catalysis by Molecular Metal Clusters

Molecular metal clusters form a very large and diverse family. They present the opportunity of modeling the intermediates involved in surface mediated catalytic reactions, of providing a source of very reactive mononuclear metal fragments, and of effecting catalytic cycles in which the cluster remains intact. The last mentioned aspect is the subject of this review article. The state-of-the-art of cluster catalysis is critically analyzed. The possibilities offered by molecular metal catalysts of performing catalytic reactions at multimetal atom sites are also discussed.