Catalyst Chemistry Example 2

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Example 2

medium
Explain the difference between a homogeneous catalyst and a heterogeneous catalyst. Give one example of each.

Solution

  1. 1
    Homogeneous catalyst: same phase as reactants. Example: H+\text{H}^+ ions catalyzing ester hydrolysis in aqueous solution.
  2. 2
    Heterogeneous catalyst: different phase from reactants. Example: solid Pt\text{Pt} catalyzing gas-phase reactions in a catalytic converter.
  3. 3
    Both lower activation energy but interact with reactants differently at the molecular level.

Answer

Homogeneous: same phase. Heterogeneous: different phase.\text{Homogeneous: same phase. Heterogeneous: different phase.}
Heterogeneous catalysts are often preferred industrially because they are easy to separate from products. Homogeneous catalysts can be more selective but harder to recover.

About Catalyst

A substance that increases the rate of a chemical reaction by providing an alternative pathway with lower activation energy, without being permanently consumed or chemically.

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More Catalyst Examples

Example 1 easy

In the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide, [formula] acts as a catalyst: [formula]. Explain the role

Example 3 easy

Enzymes are biological catalysts. Does an enzyme change the [formula] of a biochemical reaction?

Example 4 medium

A catalyst is added to a reaction and the reaction finishes faster. What changes, and what does not

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