NO-C
2H
4 interactions on the surface of stepped Pt(332) have been studied using Fourier transform infraredreflection-absorption spectroscopy (FTIR-RAS) and thermal desorption spectroscopy (TDS). IR data showthat pre-dosed C
2H
4 molecules suppress the adsorption of NO on the surface of Pt(332) to an extent dependingon both C
2H
4 coverage and the temperatures to which C
2H
4 pre-adlayers are annealed. At 90 K, the adsorptionof NO on step sites is significantly suppressed by C
2H
4 following exposures greater than 0.32 L. This site-blocking effect persists and is even enhanced when annealing C
2H
4 pre-adlayers to 200 K, a temperature atwhich the adsorbed C
2H
4 molecules are not dissociated. As annealing temperatures are increased beyond 260K, an ethylidyne species forms and is located on terraces. Consequently, the adsorption of NO on step sitesis restored but to an extent smaller than that on a clean Pt(332) surface. The IR spectra also indicate thatthere are no detectable intermediates resulting from direct chemical reactions between NO and C
2H
4/C
2H
4-derived hydrocarbons, which can promote N
2 production. The co-adsorption of C
2H
4- and C
2H
4-derivedhydrocarbons does significantly promote N
2 desorption, being dependent on the temperatures to which pre-dosed C
2H
4 adlayers are annealed. Annealing C
2H
4 adlayers to temperatures
300 K significantly enhancesN
2 desorption at temperatures below 400 K, giving rise to a peak at about 340-380 K. This low-temperatureN
2 desorption disappears completely after annealing the C
2H
4 adlayers to >350 K. N
2 desorption at ~460 Kappears to be slightly enhanced. NO dissociation is the rate-limiting step in the reduction of NO by C
2H
4-and C
2H
4-derived hydrocarbons. The contribution of C
2H
4- and C
2H
4-derived hydrocarbons to N
2 desorptionis mainly attributed to 1) weakening of N-O bonds through an electron-donation effect; and 2) providing asource of reductants, i.e., H, CH
x, C
2H
x, and even C, which react with the atomic O from NO dissociation,leaving the surface with more vacant sites for further NO dissociation. The generation of CH
x and C
2H
xtherefore plays a central role in the NO reduction mechanism.