The catalytic production of fuels and chemicals from biomass requires a greater understanding of the chemistry of biomass derived sugars on advanced catalyst surfaces. This study examines the reaction of cellulosic derivative D-glucose and functional surrogates glycolaldehyde and glyceraldehyde on the bimetallic Ni/Pd(1 1 1) surface using temperature programmed desorption (TPD) in ultra high vacuum (UHV). It was found that the primary reaction pathway on the Ni/Pd system for all three molecules was dehydrogenation to produce CO and H-2. Additionally, it was found that of the surfaces studied, the reforming activity followed the trend Pd(1 1 1) > Pd-Ni-Pd approximate to Ni-Pd-Pd > thick Ni/Pd. The Ni terminated surfaces were also found to produce ethylene at high temperatures and saw generally higher temperature and broader H-2 desorption peaks, suggesting a higher energy barrier for C-H bond scission. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.