More than activity, selectivity of catalytic reactions is the focus of research in the 21(st) century. We review studies on model systems that address the issue of directing a catalytic reaction on disperse metal catalysts by controlling the specific surface site. Three examples are explored: methanol dehydrogenation over Pd/alumina, NO dissociation on Pd/alumina, and reaction studies for molecules relevant in a Fischer-Tropsch scenario on a bimetallic Pd/Co/alumina model catalyst. We show how surface science can be used by combining a variety of experimental techniques to study the chemistry of model catalysts at the atomic level.
Copyright 2003 The Japan Chemical Journal Forum and Wiley Periodicals, Inc.