What is a catalyst?
A catalyst is defined as a chemical substance that increases the rate of a chemical reaction without undergoing any reactions with either reactants or products.
Homogenous and heterogeneous catalysts
Homogenous catalysts are those catalysists which are in the same state (solid, liquid, gas) than the reactants in the chemical reaction. For example, a chemical reaction where the reactants and the catalyst are both in the liquid state. Such reactions include the reaction between persulphate ions and iodide ions and the destruction of atmospheric ozone.
Heterogenous catalysts are those catalysts which are in a different state than the reactants in the chemical reaction. For example, a sloid catalyst with liquid reactants. Common uses of heterogenous catalysts are in the hydrogenation of a carbon-carbon double bond and the use of Vanadium Pentoxide in the Contact process.
Heterogenous catalysts are those catalysts which are in a different state than the reactants in the chemical reaction. For example, a sloid catalyst with liquid reactants. Common uses of heterogenous catalysts are in the hydrogenation of a carbon-carbon double bond and the use of Vanadium Pentoxide in the Contact process.