Supported gold and gold palladium catalysts for selective chemical synthesis

Catalysts based on gold are now well established as very active and selective for broad ranges of redox reactions. Although primarily known for selective and preferential oxidation reactions, gold catalysts are also highly effective for selective hydrogenation. Hydrogenation reactions provide the focus for this perspective paper that is based on a François Gault lecture given at the Sabatier Conference in 2007. In particular, two reactions will be discussed; namely, the use of supported gold catalysts for selective hydrogenation of α,β-unsaturated aldehydes to unsaturated alcohols, and the use of supported gold palladium alloys for the direct hydrogenation of molecular oxygen to form hydrogen peroxide in preference to water.