Toward a molecular understanding of environmental catalysis: Studies of metal oxide clusters and their reactions

To say catalysis is ubiquitous in nature and for environmental systems is an understatement. Both homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysis are of natural fundamental importance to all three phases of our environment (gas, liquid, and solid) [1, 2]. Additionally, most biological reactions are of a catalytical nature and life on Earth is suggested to arise through a series of catalytic events [3-5]. The complete exploration of such environmental and biological processes will include an understanding and explication of the catalytic events that underlie these chemistries, but, at least at present, the natural processes are typically far too complicated and veiled by other events or systems to generate a detailed, fundamental picture of how the catalytical reactions proceed mechanistically. This is especially true for any heterogeneous process [1, 2].