ning metals and metal ions, such as ruthenium (Ru) and palladium (Pd), incorporated into a matrix comprising inorganic oxides and oxyhydroxides of Ti, Nb, Ta, Zr and Si, Al, andothers.As used herein, the term matrix means a skeletal framework of oxides and oxyhydroxides derived from the hydrolysis and condensation of alkoxides and other reagents.