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Abstract

A detailed knowledge of the microscopic properties is one of the prerequisites for an understanding of heterogeneous catalysts. A strategy which has proven to be valuable in this respect is the use of model systems prepared under well-defined conditions and a subsequent characterization of these systems under both ultrahigh vacuum as well as ambient pressures. In the following review we focus on two systems where organometallic species play an important role. The first class of systems under consideration is metal carbonyls prepared under ultrahigh vacuum conditions. In particular, we will discuss the prospects of these species for use as probes for the environment of the deposited metal atom. In the second part we will discuss experiments on Ziegler–Natta model catalysts. In particular, we will describe how surface science studies of these systems can help to elucidate atomistic properties of surface sites involved in polymerization reactions.