Research progress is in three areas. First, correlation of the distribution of molybdenum oxidation states in reduced Mo/Al2O3 catalysts with benzene hydrogenation activity. Second, the use of factor analysis curve-fitting to determine the distribution of molybdenum oxidation states educed Mo/TiO2 catalysts. Third, quantitative Raman and ESCA characterization of W/TiO2 catalysts.

Research progress is in three areas. First, correlation of the distribution of molybdenum oxidation states in reduced Mo/Al[sub 2]O[sub 3] catalysts with benzene hydrogenation activity. Second, the use of factor analysis curve-fitting to determine the distribution of molybdenum oxidation states educed Mo/TiO[sub 2] catalysts. Third, quantitative Raman and ESCA characterization of W/TiO[sub 2] catalysts.

This report describes a series of studies on the following: Mo/titania and Mo/alumina catalysts for thiophene hydrodesulfurization; absorption of metal oxyanion on alumina; particle size effects for Co/silica catalyst for CO hydrogenation; correlation of Mo oxidation states with benzene hydrogenation activity; factor analysis for curve fitting Mo ESCA spectra; and quantitative Raman and ESCA characterization of W/titania catalysts. 27 refs.