Book excerpt: Once considered an inert element, gold has recently gained attention as a catalyst. With hundreds of papers being published each year, this book presents a comprehensive review of this rapidly-evolving field, with contributions by leading experts across the globe. Going through the chapters citing the primary literature, the reader will gain a thorough background to the use of gold in catalysis, as well as the latest methods for the preparation of gold catalysts. Other chapters demonstrate the characterisation and modelling of gold-catalysed reactions, with consideration given to both the fundamentals and commercial applications of this emerging group of catalysts.Written to be accessible by postgraduates and newcomers to the field, this book will also benefit experienced researchers and therefore be an essential reference in the laboratory.