FT-IR has been used to follow the formation and reaction of surface sp
ecies during the hydrogenation of CO over a Rh/ZrO2 catalyst al high t
emperature and pressure. Particular attention has been paid to the rel
ationship between carbonate and formate species. The reaction was stud
ied at various reaction temperatures and for two catalyst reduction te
mperatures. Carbonate species which are probably located at the metal/
support interface are hydrogenated to give formate species. Pretreatme
nts which modify the metal/support interface influence the relationshi
p between carbonate and formate.