Synthesis of NHC-containing heterometallic carbonyl clusters and their application as heterogeneous oxidation catalysts

The reaction of N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) derivatives of platinum or gold with ruthenium or cobalt carbonyl clusters gave various combinations of heterometallic NHC-containing RuxPty, RuxAuy and CoxPty clusters. The methodologies employed for syntheses of such heteronuclear clusters the allowed good control of bimetallic ratios. These clusters were used as single-source precursors for the preparation of catalysts upon deposition onto titanium dioxide. Their catalytic potential for the selective oxidation of alcohol to benzaldehyde were explored. Aspects such as the cluster-to-nanoparticle transformation, bimetallic alloying effects, surface chemical states and nanoparticle sizes, were studied.​Doctor of Philosophy (SPMS