This paper is a report of angle-resolved product desorption measurements in the course of catalyzed NO and N2O reduction on Pd(1 1 0). Surface-nitrogen removal processes show different angular distributions, i.e. normally directed N-2 desorption takes place in process (i) 2N(a) -> N-2(g). Highly inclined N-2 desorption towards the [0 0 1] direction is induced in process (ii) N2O(a) -> N-2(g) + O(a). N2O or NH3 desorption follows the cosine distribution characterizing the desorption after the thermalization in process (iii) N2O(a) -> N2O(g) or (iv) N(a) + 3H(a) -> NH3(a) -> NH3(g). Thus, a combination of the angular and velocity distributions provides the analysis of most of surface-nitrogen removal processes in the course of catalyzed NO reduction. At temperatures below 600 K, processes (ii) and (iii) dominate and process (iv) is enhanced at H-2 pressures higher than NO. Process (i) contributes significantly above 600 K. Only three processes except for NH3 formation are operative when CO is used. Only process (ii) was observed in a steady-state N2O + CO (or H,) reaction. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.