Formulation of mechanisms for gold-catalysed reactions

Abstract

The recent literature on simple gas-phase reactions involving CO, O-2, H-2, H2O and CO2 catalysed by gold is surveyed and mechanisms derived from the literature are presented and analysed. They provide a template by which further results can be assessed and additional necessary study stimulated. Ways in which the published results can be used to develop catalysts with the necessary activity and stability for practical applications are indicated.