Gold has traditionally been regarded as inactive as a catalytic metal. However, the advent of nanoparticulate gold on high surface area oxide supports has demonstrated its high catalytic activity in many chemical reactions. Gold is active as a heterogeneous catalyst in both gas and liquid phases, and complexes catalyse reactions homogeneously in solution. Many of the reactions being studied will lead to new application areas for catalysis by gold in pollution control, chemical processing, sensors and fuel cell technology. This book describes the properties of gold, the methods for preparing gold catalysts and ways to characterise and use them effectively in reactions. The reaction mechanisms and reasons for the high activities are discussed and the applications for gold catalysis considered.Contents:Introduction to CatalysisThe Physical and Chemical Properties of GoldPhysical Properties and Characterisation of Small Gold ParticlesPreparation of Supported Gold CatalystsChemisorption of Simple Molecules on GoldOxidation of Carbon MonoxideThe Selective Oxidation of Carbon MonoxideSelective OxidationReactions Involving HydrogenThe Water–Gas ShiftReactions of Environmental ImportanceCatalysis by Soluble and Supported Gold CompoundsMiscellaneous Reactions Catalysed by GoldCommercial ApplicationsReadership: Postgraduate level researchers in academia and industry, as well as general readers.