Gold-Catalysed Reactions

Abstract

In recent years, there have been three significant pieces of research which helped propel gold catalysis research into the forefrontɣ the discoveries that gold/silica can catalyse the hydrogenation of pentene, that gold on carbon can be used in the hydrochlorination of acetylene and that deposition-precipitation ɭDPɮ methods can be used to prepare nanogold on titania capable of enabling the oxidation of CO at very low temperatures. The synthesis of small gold particles, their characterisation and peculiar properties are considered together with their behaviour as heterogeneous catalysts for a variety of reactions. Some of the issues concerning the practical application of gold catalysts are also discussed.

Catalytic Application of Nano-Gold Catalysts

“…Based on density functional theory (DFT) calculations, boron was proposed as a viable promoter for improving coking resistance of Ni-based catalysts [168]. The addition of alkali metal salts also improves coking resistance, although at the expense of reforming rate [169][170][171]. Alloying Ni with slight amounts of Au was proposed to be another viable method of improving resistance towards graphitic carbon formation [171,172].…”