Gas Phase Ion Chemistry of Transition Metal Clusters: Production, Reactivity, and Catalysis

TLDR: A review on the use of mass spectrometry to examine the gas phase ion chemistry of metal clusters is presented in this article, where the chemistry of other bare and ligated metal clusters, including mixed metal dimer ions, is examined.

Abstract: This review focuses on the use of mass spectrometry to examine the gas phase ion chemistry of metal clusters. Ways of forming gas phase clusters are briefly overviewed and then the gas phase chemistry of silver clusters is discussed to illustrate the concepts of “magic numbers” and how reactivity can be size dependent. The chemistry of other bare and ligated metal clusters is examined, including mixed metal dimer ions as models for microalloys. Metal clusters that catalyze gas phase chemical reactions such as the oxidation of CO and organic substrates are reviewed. Finally the interface between nanotechnology and mass spectrometry is also considered.