Catalysts - Introduction
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Define a catalyst
A substance that alters the rate of a chemical reaction but is not consumed in the reaction
Define a negative catalyst/inhibitor.
A catalyst which has a retarding effect i.e. it slows down the rate of reaction
Give an example of a negative catalyst.
Glycerine
What is the negative catalyst glycerine used for?
It is sometimes added to hydrogen peroxide to slow down its rate of decomposition when it is stored
What are catalyst usual made of?
Catalyst are usual transition metals or their compounds
Catalysts only speed up reactions when they are in what form?
When they are in solution or in the gas phase
How do catalysts work?
Catalysts work by lowering the activation energy needed to start a reaction
How do catalyst make a reaction, particularly those used in bioprocessing, more cost effective?
Catalysts lower the activation energy needed for reactions to occur which therefore reduces the temperature required for the reaction to take place