CO adsorption on Pt{211} has been investigated using a combination of reflection absorption infrared spectroscopy (RAIRS) and temperature programmed desorption (TPD). Whilst our work is in broad agreement with previous studies, we have also been able to obtain additional experimental detail. In particular, a clear distinction was possible between infrared bands observed for atop and bridged CO species adsorbed on step and terrace sites on the Pt {211} surface. This was not observed in previous studies. The adsorption temperature was also found to have an effect on the observed RAIRS and TPD spectra with additional surface species being observed following adsorption at 106 K, compared to adsorption at 330 K. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.