Structure of Supported Metal Catalysts Derived from Molecular Bimetallic Clusters

Re-containing molecular bimetallic clusters were used as precursors for gamma alumina supported catalysts. Characterization by XPS and XAS after hydrogen reduction showed Re valence states in the order Re monometallic > Re-Os bimetallic > Re-Pt bimetallic > zero. These results suggest that industrial bimetallic catalysts are not best understood in terms of alloys, but rather as multifunctional, with each element contributing its own activity.