An atomic-level Catalysis of Aun(SR)m Nanoclusters for Stereoselective Epoxidation of Stilbene

The efficient and stereoselective epoxidation of cis-stilbene and trans-stilbene was achieved at the atomic level using atomically precise Aun(SR)m nanoclusters catalysts in mild conditions, involving thiolate-capped Au25(SR)18, Au38(SR)24, and Au144(SR)60 nanoclusters. These Aun nanoclusters, which are ideally composed of an exact number of gold atoms, have unique atom packing structures and non-metallic electronic properties and show super catalysis comparing to current gold nanoparticles. The atomic-level understanding of mechamism is particularly interesting and the correlation of their structure and properties may provide us a deep insight into the fundamental nanogold catalysis.