Significant stabilization of palladium by gold in the bimetallic nanocatalyst leading to an enhanced activity in the hydrodechlorination of aryl chloridesElectronic supplementary information (ESI) available. See DOI: 10.1039/c5cc04432d

The stabilization effect of Au towards Pd changed the reactivity of Pd in Au/Pd bimetallic nanoclusters, altering the reaction mechanism from homogeneous to heterogeneous in dechlorination reaction of aryl chlorides. This phenomenon was illustrated by the observed enhancement of the rate of reaction by in situ generated Au-rich bimetallic Au/Pd nanoclusters. The stabilization of Pd by Au in Au/Pd bimetallic nanoclusters enhanced the reactivity of Pd and changed the reaction mechanism.