Catalysis

4th semester
 CATALYSIS
Catalysis is the process of altering the rate of a chemical reaction by adding a
substance known as a catalyst.

Catalysts are not consumed in the reaction and remain unchanged after it.

Often only very small amounts of catalyst are required.

Catalysts generally react with one or more reactants to form intermediates that
subsequently give the final reaction product, in the process regenerating the catalyst.
 Classification
Catalysis may be classified as-

 homogeneous

 heterogeneous.
Homogeneous Catalysis:

Homogeneous catalysis of chemical reactions is a process where the reactants involved in

the reaction and the catalyst are in the same phase. For example hydrolysis of sugar in the

presence of sulphuric acid.

Heterogeneous Catalysis:

Heterogeneous catalysis of chemical reactions is a process where the reactants involved in

the reaction and the catalyst are in different phases. For example reaction of hydrogen and

nitrogen in the presence of finely divided iron to form ammonia.

 A homogeneous catalysis is one whose components are dispersed in the
same phase (usually gaseous or liquid) as the reactant's molecules.
 A heterogeneous catalysis is one where the reaction components are not
in the same phase.
 Enzymes. Biocatalysts are often considered as a third category. Similar
mechanistic principles apply to heterogeneous, homogeneous, and bio
catalysis.
 Activity of Catalyst
 Catalyst has an ability to increase the rate of reaction.
 This ability of catalyst is known as the activity of catalyst.
 It depends upon adsorption of reactants on the surface of catalyst.
 Chemisorption is the main factor governing the activity of catalysts. The bond
formed during adsorption between the catalytic surface and the reactants must not
be too strong or too weak.
2H2(g) + O2(g) Pt−→ 2H2O(l)
 Selectivity of Catalyst
Catalysts are highly specific compounds. They have an ability to direct the reaction
to yield a particular product.
The reaction with same reactants but different catalyst may yield different
products. This is termed as the selectivity of catalyst.
Catalysts are highly selective in nature. They can accelerate a particular reaction
while inhibit another reaction. Hence, we can say a particular catalyst can catalyze
one particular reaction only.
It may fail to catalyze another reaction of the same type.
For example: reaction of hydrogen and carbon monoxide yields
methane when nickel is used as catalyst, methanol when a mixture of
zinc oxide and chromium oxide is used as catalyst and methanal when
only copper is used as catalyst.
(i) CO(g) + 3H2(g) Ni−→ CH4(g) + H2O(g)
(ii) CO(g) + 2H2(g) Cu/ZnO−Cr2O3−→ CH3OH(g)
(iii)CO(g) + H2(g) Cu−→ HCHO(g)
There are two main theories to explain catalysis.
1. Intermediate compound formation theory
2. Adsorption theory

In general, the intermediate compound formation theory applies to homogeneous

catalytic reactions and the adsorption theory applies to heterogeneous catalytic
reactions.
Intermediate compound formation theory:
This theory was proposed by Clement and Desormes in 1806. In general ,
the intermediate compound formation theory applies to homogeneous
catalyst reactions. According to this theory, the catalyst form an
intermediate with one of the reactants. But the intermediate compound is
unstable. So that the intermediate compound combines with other reactant
to form the desired product and the catalyst is regenerated.
Mechanism of Heterogeneous Catalysis of
Chemical Reactions:
The modern theory of adsorption proposed a five-step mechanism for
the catalysis of chemical reactions. These steps are:
• Introduction and diffusion of reactant molecules on the catalytic
surface.
• Adsorption of molecules of reactants on the catalytic surface.
• Formation of intermediate on a catalytic surface by a chemical
reaction between the reactant molecules.
• Desorption of product molecules from the catalytic.
• Diffusion of product molecules away from the catalytic surface to
form final products.