Giant Pd-561 clusters: Onset to new catalytic properties

Remarkable catalytic properties have been exhibited by giant Pd-561 clusters (GPC) employed in oxidation reactions. Lower alcohol oxidation can easily occur in GPC solution at 293–323 K giving wide product spectrum: aldehydes, esters, anhydrides, carboxylic acids and acetals. Moreover hydrocarbons and carbon dioxide have been found as gaseous products. Actually GPC imply some reactivity of both bulk Pd and Pd complexes. This reactivity, however, acquires new unique features unknown for any other clusters or Pd compounds. Reaction mechanism involves formation of two kinds of activated species. It also assumes the reaction medium as well as ligand sphere to be of significant importance for GPC reactivity.