Catalytic conversion of carbon dioxide over atomically precise metal clusters toward fine chemicals

Abstract

Metal clusters with exact atomic numbers, tunable electronic properties and modifiable organic ligands have garnered extensive research interest for their potential in elucidating the structure-catalysis relationship and constructing a series of challenging chemical bonds. Among their promising applications as a new type of metal catalysts for important chemical processes, the catalytic conversion of CO₂ into value-added chemicals through atomically precise metal cluster catalysis has achieved considerable success. This review begins by concisely outlining the milestone developments of atomically precise metal clusters with crystallographic structures. We then provide an overview of CO₂ conversion in various catalytic systems, including electrocatalysis, photocatalysis, homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysis. Particular emphasis is placed on the significant advances in metal cluster-catalyzed CO₂ fixation and utilization with organic molecules, offering fundamental insights into active site identification and modification, as well as the design and application of high-performance metal cluster catalysts. These studies have demonstrated the capability of atomically precise metal clusters to achieve remarkable catalytic performances, which will promote the exploration of new catalysts for existing catalyzed processes.