The catalyst precursor has been synthesized by modifying the silica su
rface with CIPPh2 followed by a surface reaction with RuCl3. Supports
consisting of a thin layer of SiO2 on a silicon single crystal have be
en used, Characterization of the different stages in the reaction proc
edure has been performed by a combination of conventional and angle-re
solved X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) using RuCl3/P(C6H5)(2)Si
O2/Si(100) model precursors, Different types of ruthenium centra have
been identified.