In transition metal catalyzed reactions using simple metal salts, metal complexes, or nanoparticles as catalyst precursors, the metal sources may transfer to other species in situ, such as mono metal species, metal clusters and nanoparticles. Herein, the representative examples of the in situ generated metal nanoclusters as the catalytically active species in synthetic methodologies are reviewed, including their in situ formation, characterization and effect in catalysis.