TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Method: The incorporated mixture and the second mixture are dried to form the first and second dried mixture, respectively, at 80-200degreesC; and are calcined to form first and second calcined mixture, respectively, at 150-700degreesC. Prior to the oxidation of carbon monoxide, the composition is reduced under reducing conditions that include a temperature of 20-650, preferably 200-500degreesC. Preferred Component: The first substance comprises platinum and a chloride. The second substance comprises iron and a chloride. Preferred Condition: At least a portion of the platinum of the composition is in a reduced valence state. The contacting conditions include a temperature of 60-100, preferably 75-85degreesC. Preferred Compound: The aluminum-containing compound is alumina.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Method: The incorporated mixture and the second mixture are dried to form the first and second dried mixture, respectively, at 80-200degreesC; and are calcined to form first and second calcined mixture, respectively, at 150-700degreesC. Prior to the oxidation of carbon monoxide, the composition is reduced under reducing conditions that include a temperature of 20-650, preferably 200-500degreesC. Preferred Component: The first substance comprises platinum and a chloride. The second substance comprises iron and a chloride. Preferred Condition: At least a portion of the platinum of the composition is in a reduced valence state. The contacting conditions include a temperature of 60-100, preferably 75-85degreesC. Preferred Compound: The aluminum-containing compound is alumina. SPECIFIC COMPOUNDS - The first substance is chloroplatinic acid. The second substance is ferric chloride.    EXAMPLE - Chloroplatinic acid (2.90 g) and ferric chloride (3.22 g) were dissolved in water (40 ml). Half of this solution was incorporated into calcined alumina (50 g). The incorporated mixture was dried at 120degreesC for 1.5 hours and calcined at 250degreesC for 4 hours. The resulting composition (2.6 g) was added to a concentrated ammonia solution (25 g). This mixture was heated to about 100degreesC for a few minutes. The mixture was decanted and washed with water several times. The mixture was dried at 120degreesC for 1.5 hours and calcined at 250degreesC for 4 hours.