A review is given, from an organometallic perspective, of the current
state of knowledge of the structure and activity of the bimetallic Pt-
Re-Al2O3 catalysts used in petroleum reforming and of the known hetero
nuclear Pt-Re cluster complexes. Some comparisons between proposed str
uctures, bonding and reactivity in the Pt-Re clusters present in the h
eterogeneous catalytic materials and in the well-defined clusters are
made.