Supported metal catalysts : Some interesting new leads in an old field

1. Abstract We report on a new approach for preparing Ru metal supported on silica. We show that partial decomposition of Ru impregnates on silica, formed using bifunctional organic additives, creates strongly interacting complexes that bond to and spread on silica. Reducing these complexes produces 12-15A Ru crystallites homogeneously distributed on the support. This homogeneous distribution leads to enhanced resistance to reductive sintering.