Adsorption and dissociation of diatomic molecules on transition-metal surfaces

The interaction between transition-metal surfaces and simple diatomic molec ules (CO, NO, H-2, N, and O-2) may lead to the breaking and making of chemi cal bonds and trigger important surface-catalysed reactions. We discuss the most common surface interaction and orientation models and consider the el ectronic structure of the transition metal, and the influence of structure, bonding and coordination of the diatomic molecule. We emphasize the import ance of the tilted precursor in the dissociation of diatomic molecules on t ransition-metal surfaces.