Chemical bonding involving metal−metal (M−M) and metal−ligand (M−L) interactions provides an opportunity to tune the stabilities and catalytic properties of metal clusters. We report here the electronic and bonding properties of a series of trinuclear clusters [M 3 X 3 (PR 3 ) 3 ] + (M = Ni, Pd, Pt; X = F, Cl, Br, I; R = H) to explore the electronic effect on the adsorption and activation of H 2 and other small molecules. The chemical bonding model of M 3 is discussed in detail, and the formal +4/3 oxidation state of the metal element in the M 3 cluster is proposed. Metallic σ-aromaticity is also found in the trinuclear clusters. We have shown that the stability and the catalytic activity of the trinuclear clusters can be tuned by altering the energies and compositions of M−M and M−L chemical bonding orbitals. The performance of H 2 dissociative adsorption on these clusters can be explained by the orbital interactions. Relativistic effects also play a significant role in determining the activity of H 2 adsorption. This finding provides an example for controlling catalytic properties through tuning chemical bonding of metal clusters.