Catalytic Consequences of Reactive Oxygen Species during Selective Propylene Epoxidation on Silver Clusters

Direct propylene oxidation on silver catalysts favors the formation of CO_x instead of C₃H₆O. Kinetic and titration studies provide evidence that the relative abundances of O* and OOH* species on Ag surfaces dictate the fate of propylene. Varying average cluster binding strengths increases product rates but does not alter selectivity.