Sub-nanoscaled Metal Oxide Cluster-Integrated Polymer Network for Quasi-Homogeneous Catalysis.

The simultaneous improvement of catalytic activity and recyclability of metal oxides is exciting, however challenging, due to the paradox for particle size requirements. Herein, we report the design of polymer nanocomposites (PNCs) by covalently integrating a sub-nanoscaled metal oxide cluster (∼0.7 nm) into a polymer network with superelasticity. Due to the ultrasmall sizes of loaded clusters and the high swelling ratios (SRs) of PNCs, the swelled organogels from PNCs claim similar catalytic efficiencies to homogeneous catalysts, while their recyclability can be simply achieved after the catalytic reactions. Thanks to their robust mechanical properties, the PNCs can be processed into microgel particles for column reactors, enabling large-scale and continuous-flow catalysis.