Heterogeneous catalysis is undergoing a dramatic change driven by the need to develop more efficient catalyst systems for the production of specialty chemicals and the development of new high-tech materials. The traditional concept of a catalyst system consisting of finely divided metal particles dispersed on an inert amorphous ceramic support has encountered increased challenges. The chemical and physical phenomena that occur at the metal particle/support interface are looked at together with the detailed structural and crystallographic features of both components. Also of interest is the study of catalytic materials and the notion that the electronic properties of the substrate can be of extreme importance since they can influence not only the activity, but also the selectivity, of the catalytic systems. In this book, first published in 1998, scientists from very different disciplines have made contributions and brought insights to the field. Topics include: oxide catalysts; metal catalysts; carbon-based catalysts; pillared layered and porous catalysts; zeolited and related materials; acid and bases and surface modifications.