Synthetically tuned electronic and geometrical properties of intermetallic compounds as effective heterogeneous catalysts

Intermetallic compounds (IMCs) exhibits unique structural features accompanied by appropriate changes in the electronic structures. These electronically and geometrically tuned structures found to be the excellent catalysts for selected chemical reactions. There is not enough literature comprising detailed synthesis, properties and catalytic activity of IMCs. In this review, a complete overview of the IMCs in the field of heterogeneous catalysis has been discussed in detail. The review starts with understanding IMCs and how are they different from alloys, solid solutions and bimetallic. The physicochemical properties such as electronic effect, geometrical effect, steric effect and ordering of the IMCs are explained with appropriate examples. The comprehensive discussion on the synthesis and characterization of IMCs by various methods are also included in the review. The review cover the classification of IMCs into mainly 3 groups based on the active metal a) Platinum b) Palladium c) Nickel and the compounds based on each of these family is discussed along with the structure-activity correlation in different organic reactions. Several miscellaneous examples including other active metals Rh, Ru, Al, and Co are also included in the review followed by the future perspective. Overall, one can fine-tune and design the essential electronic -geometrical properties in the IMCs by combining appropriate metals, leading to the new surface properties suitable for the important organic reactions.