a b s t r a c tThe double complex salt [Pd(NH 3 ) 4 ](ReO 4 ) 2 was employed as precursor of supported bimetallic catalysts for selective hydrogenation of furfural. Direct reduction of [Pd(NH 3 ) 4 ](ReO 4 ) 2 on c-Al 2 O 3 in flowing H 2 at 400°C yields bimetallic nanoparticles 1-2 nm in size that exhibit significant interaction between the metals, as evidenced by temperature-programmed hydride decomposition (complete suppression of b-PdH x formation), extended X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy at the Pd K and Re L III edges (PdARe distance = 2.72 Å), and scanning transmission electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray analysis. In contrast, calcination of [Pd(NH 3 ) 4 ](ReO 4 ) 2 on c-Al 2 O 3 at 350°C in air and subsequent reduction in H 2 at 400°C results in metal segregation and formation of large (>50 nm) supported Pd particles; Re species cover the Pd particles and c-Al 2 O 3 support. A PdRe 1:2 catalyst prepared by sequential impregnation and calcination using HReO 4 and [Pd(NH 3 ) 4 ](NO 3 ) 2 has a similar morphology.The catalyst derived by direct reduction of [Pd(NH 3 ) 4 ](ReO 4 ) 2 on c-Al 2 O 3 exhibits remarkably high activity for selective hydrogenation of furfural to furfuryl alcohol (FAL) at 150°C and 1 atm. Suppression of H 2 chemisorption via elimination of Pd threefold sites, as evidenced by CO diffuse-reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy, correlates with increased FAL selectivity.