Advanced design of catalytically active reaction space at surfaces for selective catalysis

The recent advanced design of surface reaction spaces for heterogeneous selective catalysis in molecular-nano scales is reviewed, focusing on our recent challenges and also presenting new data. Supported metal complexes on oxide surfaces often exhibit tremendous catalytic properties based on their unique coordination structures created at the surfaces. Novel active reaction spaces can be designed by coordination regulation on central metals, chemical interaction at metal–surface interface, and three-dimensional architectures constructed at surfaces. Such molecularly organized surfaces possess advantageous properties of both homogeneous and heterogeneous catalyst systems and provide great opportunities for the tailor-made design of highly selective catalysis for various kinds of catalytic chemical syntheses.