Catalytic CO Oxidation by O₂ Mediated by Noble-Metal-Free Cluster Anions Cu₂VO_3–5 ⁻

Catalytic CO oxidation by molecular O₂ is an important model reaction in both the condensed phase and gas-phase studies. Available gas-phase studies indicate that noble metal is indispensable in catalytic CO oxidation by O₂ under thermal collision conditions. Herein, we identified the first example of noble-metal-free heteronuclear oxide cluster catalysts, the copper–vanadium bimetallic oxide clusters Cu₂VO_3–5 ⁻ for CO oxidation by O₂. The reactions were characterized by mass spectrometry, photoelectron spectroscopy, and density functional calculations. The dynamic nature of the Cu−Cu unit in terms of the electron storage and release is the driving force to promote CO oxidation and O₂ activation during the catalysis.