Selective hydrogenation of the CC bond in α,β-unsaturated aldehydes and ketones over ultra-small Pd–Au clusters

Pd-Au clusters of 1.8 nm preferentially catalyzed the hydrogenation of the C[double bond, length as m-dash]C bond in α,β-unsaturated aldehydes and ketones with a selectivity of ∼99%, primarily because of the unique electronic properties and isolated Pd ensembles on the ultra-small alloyed particles.