“…The oxidation of hydrocarbons is generally catalyzed by transition metals or their oxides. The catalytic activity of these oxides is mainly determined by the bond energy, i.e., the mobility of oxygen in the surface layer.1 Until now, different types of superficial reactions have been studied to obtain information on the reactivity of superficial oxygen atoms: homomolecular exchange le02(g) 1802(g)1-3 and ls02(g) C1602(g), 4 heteromolecular exchange ls02(g) 160(s), catalytic transfer of oxygen between CO and C02,6 reduction of solids by CO6 or H2. 7 From this standpoint, the study of carbon tetrachloride oxidation by mean of superficial oxygen atoms of a solid offers a double advantage.…”