Catalytic properties of Ru-based intermetallic compounds are studied for Fischer-Tropsch synthesis. Among unsupported compounds between ruthenium and other transition metals, RuTi gave the highest selectivity to higher hydrocarbons. Preparation of fine particles of RuTi on silica gel was tried by co-impregnation and chemical vapor deposition methods. The latter method using the vapor of titanocene dichloride and ruthenium supported on silica gel gave fine particles of RuTi intermetallic compound. This supported RuTi catalyst showed higher selectivity than that of Ru/SiO2 for the formation of higher hydrocarbons. H-2-D-2 equilibration indicated that RuTi has low hydrogen dissociation activity compared with that of Ru. IR spectra indicated that RuTi particles adsorbed carbon monoxide more strongly than Ru particles on silica gel. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.