Platinum group metal clusters: from gas-phase structures and reactivities towards model catalysts.

Transition-metal clusters have long been proposed as model systems to study heterogeneous catalysts. In this Concept article we show how advanced spectroscopic techniques can be used to determine the structures of gas-phase transition-metal clusters and their complexes with small molecules. Combined with computational studies, this can help to develop an understanding of the reactivity of these catalytic models.