Present paper reports on Extended X-rays Absorption Fine Structure (EXAFS) Spectroscopy characterisation of Fe/Pt clusters. Samples of different nominal iron contents (FePt4 and FePt2) have been prepared and characterised by direct measurements of absorption coefficient at Pt L3 and Fe K edges. Catalysts were prepared by precipitation from suitable mixing (in the appropriate stoichiometry) of mesitylene suspentions containing small clusters of either platinum or iron. Single species suspention, in turn, were prepared by vapor metal deposition.

Catalitic activity of prepared samples was tested on cinnammic aldehyde. As a general result, platinum clusters exhibit activity in the hydrogenation of both carbon double bond and aldehyde group with a preference for the latter. Iron addition to the pure platinum catalyst reverts the selectivity while leaving the catalitic activity almost unchanged.

The present paper represents a temptative to achieve structural information on Fe and Pt short range environments, thus providing insights on the dynamics of the catalytic process.