title: Isolated metal atom geometries as a strategy for selective heterogeneous hydrogenations.
abstract: Facile dissociation of reactants and weak binding of intermediates are key requirements for efficient and selective catalysis. However, these two variables are intimately linked in a way that does not generally allow the optimization of both properties simultaneously. By using desorption measurements in combination with high-resolution scanning tunneling microscopy, we show that individual, isolated Pd atoms in a Cu surface substantially lower the energy barrier to both hydrogen uptake on and subsequent desorption from the Cu metal surface. This facile hydrogen dissociation at Pd atom sites and weak binding to Cu allow for very selective hydrogenation of styrene and acetylene as compared with pure Cu or Pd metal alone.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Tufts University, 62 Talbot Avenue, Medford, MA 02155, USA.
authors.forename: Georgios
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Kyriakou
authors.forename: Matthew B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Boucher
authors.forename: April D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Jewell
authors.forename: Emily A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Lewis
authors.forename: Timothy J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Lawton
authors.forename: Ashleigh E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Baber
authors.forename: Heather L
authors.initials: HL
authors.lastname: Tierney
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Flytzani-Stephanopoulos
authors.forename: E Charles H
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: Sykes