Catalytic activity of transition elements

Transition metals and their compounds are often good catalysts. The small differences in ionization energies make variable oxidation numbers possible. When transition metals act as catalyst they use their empty orbitals to form temporary dative covalent bond with reactants molecules, weakening the bonds and hence provide low activation energy to break the bonds. There are two types of catalysts. In a heterogeneous reaction, the catalyst is in a different phase from the reactants. In a homogeneous reaction, the catalyst is in the same phase as the reactants.

Heterogeneous catalysis
This involves the use of a catalyst in a different phase from the reactants. Typical examples involve a solid catalyst with the reactants as either liquids or gases. Heterogeneous catalysis reactions occur on the surface of the catalyst. There are active sites on the surface of catalyst, where reactions occur. Transition metals act as heterogeneous catalysts due to vacant dorbital.

How the heterogeneous catalyst works

diffusion Reactant molecules move to the active sites

Adsorption The surface of the catalyst attracts the reactant molecules by intermolecular forces and form temporary dative covalent bonds. Adsorption is the surface process.

Weakening of the bonds Hence the bonds which are the reactant molecules become weaker or some bonds might be broken. Due to weakness of bonds, energy is required to break the bonds is very weak. Thus activation energy is low.

Desorption New bonds are formed on the surface of the catalyst to form product molecules and then product molecules move away from active sites of catalyst, that is products are desorbed and the diffuse away from the catalyst.

Homogeneous catalyst
This has the catalyst in the same phase as the reactants. Typically everything will be present as a gas or contained in a single liquid phase. Transition metals can act as a homogeneous catalyst because they exhibit variable states.

 The reaction between peroxodisulphate ions and iodide ions

The reaction needs a collision between two negative ions. The catalyst can be either iron(II) The peroxodisulphate ions oxidise the iron(II) ions to iron(III) ions. In the process the peroxodisulphate ions are reduced to sulphate ions.
The iron(III) ions are strong enough oxidising agents to oxidise iodide ions to iodine. In the process, they are reduced back to iron(II) ions again.

Autocatalysis
In autocatalysis, the reaction is catalysed by one of its products. The oxidation of ethanedioic acid by manganate(VII) ions

The reaction is very slow at room temperature. It is used as a titration to find the concentration of potassium manganate(VII) solution and is usually carried out at a temperature of about 60C.

Substance Iron

Reaction catalysed Haber process to convert nitrogen and hydrogen to ammonia

Nickel
Vanadium(V) oxide

Margarine production to hydrogenate unsaturated hydrocarbons

Contact process to convert oxygen and sulphur dioxide to sulphur trioxide