The exceptional catalytic performance of Au-Pd catalysts arises from several factors. First, the synergistic effects between gold and palladium atoms facilitate improved reactivity and selectivity. Second, the presence of gold can modify the electronic properties of palladium, enhancing its ability to activate molecular oxygen and other reactants. Additionally, the alloy formation can lead to enhanced stability and resistance to sintering, which is a common issue in monometallic catalysts.