Gold particle size effect in biomass-derived lignan hydroxymatairesinol oxidation over Au/Al2O3 catalysts

- Selective oxidation of naturally occurring lignan hydroxymatairesinol.
- Gold on alumina with different sizes from organo-metallic precursor.
- Extensive catalyst characterization including ICP-AES, XRD, TEM, XPS and UV-vis.
- Structure sensitivity in HMR oxidation.
- Rate maximum at the gold cluster size of ca. 4 nm.