Subnanometric Gold Clusters on CeO2 with Maximized Strong Metal–Support Interactions for Aerobic Oxidation of Carbon–Hydrogen Bonds

We report the synthesis of subnanometric Au clusters with average diameters at 1.2 nm on a low-crystallinity CeO2 support (sub-Au/LC-CeO2), which exhibit high activities and selectivities in the aerobic oxidation of C–H bonds on a series of petroleum-derived hydrocarbons under solvent-free conditions. This phenomenon is strongly related to the maximized strong metal–support interactions between subnanometric Au and the LC-CeO2 support.