The bimetallic cluster ion PtAu+ activates methane in the gas-phase, yielding the carbene PtAuCH2+ which further reacts with ammonia under C-N coupling. In contrast, neither Pt2+ nor Au2+ mediates C-N bond formation. This example demonstrates how bond activation in the gas phase can be tuned by cooperative effects in bimetallic clusters.
The bimetallic cluster ion PtAu+ activates n class="Chemical">methane in the gas-phase, yielding the carbene PtAuCH2+ which further reacts with ammonia under C-N coupling. In contrast, neither Pt2+ nor Au2+ mediates C-N bond formation. This example demonstrates how bond activation in the gas phase can be tuned by cooperative effects in bimetallic clusters.