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Heterogeneous Catalysis

Heterogeneous Catalysis

Heterogeneous catalysis involves a catalyst in a different phase from the reactants. It is a process where the catalyst and the reactants are in distinct phases, typically solid and gas or liquid.Most heterogeneous catalysts are metals, metal oxides, or acids. The list includes transition metals like iron (Fe), cobalt (Co), nickel (Ni), palladium (Pd), platinum (Pt), chromium (Cr), manganese (Mn), tungsten (W), silver (Ag), and copper (Cu). These metals possess partially vacant d orbitals that...

Catalysis

Catalysis

The presence of a catalyst affects the rate of a chemical reaction. A catalyst is a substance that can increase the reaction rate without being consumed during the process. A basic comprehension of a catalysts’ role during chemical reactions can be understood from the concept of reaction mechanisms and energy diagrams.

Reduction of Alkenes: Asymmetric Catalytic Hydrogenation

Reduction of Alkenes: Asymmetric Catalytic Hydrogenation

Catalytic hydrogenation of alkenes is a transition-metal catalyzed reduction of the double bond using molecular hydrogen to give alkanes. The mode of hydrogen addition follows syn stereochemistry.
The metal catalyst used can be either heterogeneous or homogeneous. When hydrogenation of an alkene generates a chiral center, a pair of enantiomeric products is expected to form. However, an enantiomeric excess of one of the products can be facilitated using an enantioselective reaction or an...

Reduction of Alkynes to cis-Alkenes: Catalytic Hydrogenation

Reduction of Alkynes to cis-Alkenes: Catalytic Hydrogenation

Introduction
Like alkenes, alkynes can be reduced to alkanes in the presence of transition metal catalysts such as Pt, Pd, or Ni. The reaction involves two sequential syn additions of hydrogen via a cis-alkene intermediate.

Factors Influencing the Rate of Chemical Reactions

Factors Influencing the Rate of Chemical Reactions

A variety of factors influence the rate of chemical reactions. For a chemical reaction to happen, atoms must collide with enough energy to overcome the repulsion between their electrons. This energy is called activation energy. Factors influencing the rate of reaction either lower the activation energy or increase the likelihood of a successful collision.
Concentration and Pressure:
The more particles present within a given space, the more likely those particles are to bump into one another....

Turnover Number and Catalytic Efficiency

Turnover Number and Catalytic Efficiency

The turnover number of an enzyme is the maximum number of substrate molecules it can transform per unit time. Turnover numbers for most enzymes range from 1 to 1000 molecules per second. Catalase has the known highest turnover number, capable of converting up to 2.8×106 molecules of hydrogen peroxide into water and oxygen per second. Lysozyme has the lowest known turnover number of half a molecule per second.
Chymotrypsin is a pancreatic enzyme that breaks down proteins during digestion....

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 12, 2026

Synthesis and Performance Characterizations of Transition Metal Single Atom Catalyst for Electrochemical CO2 Reduction

Synthesis and Performance Characterizations of Transition Metal Single Atom Catalyst for Electrochemical CO2 Reduction

Published on: April 10, 2018

Artificial switchable catalysts.

Victor Blanco¹, David A Leigh, Vanesa Marcos

¹School of Chemistry, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK. david.leigh@manchester.ac.uk.

Chemical Society Reviews

|May 13, 2015

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Chemists are developing switchable catalysts that can be turned on or off with external stimuli. This innovation allows for precise control over chemical reactions, enabling the creation of complex molecules and materials.

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Synthesis of Metal Nanoparticles Supported on Carbon Nanotube with Doped Co and N Atoms and its Catalytic Applications in Hydrogen Production

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Area of Science:

Catalysis
Organic Chemistry
Materials Science

Background:

Catalysis is crucial for synthesizing valuable molecules from simple precursors.
Traditional catalysis research focuses on discovering and optimizing catalysts for high conversion and selectivity.
Recent research is exploring stimuli-responsive catalysts, inspired by natural systems.

Purpose of the Study:

To review the current state of artificial switchable catalysis.
To classify switchable catalytic systems based on the external stimuli used.
To highlight the potential applications of switchable catalysts in controlling chemical transformations.

Main Methods:

Literature review of artificial switchable catalysis.
Classification of systems based on triggering mechanisms (e.g., light, heat, chemical signals).
Analysis of how stimuli control catalytic activity and reaction outcomes (e.g., stereochemistry).

Main Results:

Overview of various external stimuli used to control catalytic activity.
Examples of switchable catalysts demonstrating controlled chemical transformations.
Discussion of how catalyst states can be modulated to influence product formation.

Conclusions:

Artificial switchable catalysis offers a powerful new paradigm for chemical synthesis.
Stimuli-responsive catalysts enable precise control over reaction pathways and product selectivity.
This field holds significant potential for developing advanced functional molecules and materials.