Catalysis on Supported Metals

It is often commented that the practice of catalysis has preceded its understanding. The comment is nowhere more valid than in the area of catalytic action on transition metal surfaces which is the primary basis of the present review. We shall attempt here to survey some developments which have brought about a renewal of interest in work with metals supported on “inert” carriers as a means of furthering understanding of catalytic action. Summaries of work with supported catalysts from a number of aspects have been given from time to time [1-7].