An
overview of the catalytic properties of intermetallic compounds
has been made to provide a comprehensive understanding regarding (1)
what intermetallic catalysts can do, (2) their fundamental roles in
enhanced catalysis, and (3) their advantages over other inorganic
materials. A number of chemical transformations using intermetallic
catalysts have been surveyed and classified into three major divisionshydrogenation/dehydrogenation,
oxidation, and steam reforming and various subsections. The fundamental
roles of intermetallic phases obtained from this survey were categorized
into four types of effects: (a) electronic, (b) geometric, (c) steric,
and (d) ordering effects. The unprecedented steric effects governed
by the specific surface structures of intermetallic compounds highlight
the unique capabilities of intermetallic materials. On the basis of
this overview, we have concluded that intermetallic compounds have
the following advantages for fine catalyst design: (i) control of
the electronic structure, (ii) a specific and ordered atomic-level
structure, and (iii) homogeneity of geometric and electronic structures.
Thus, intermetallic compounds are promising inorganic catalyst materials
capable of creating a well-designed reaction environment and suitable
for developing efficient catalytic systems.