Surface Chemistry
Catalysis
Catalysis
Catalysis involves the acceleration of a chemical reaction by a substance
(catalyst) which itself remains unchanged at the end of the reaction.
Types of Catalysis
1. Homogeneous Catalysis: The reactants and the catalyst are in the same
phase.
○ Example: Hydrolysis of methyl acetate in water using H⁺ ions as a
catalyst.
○
2. Heterogeneous Catalysis: The reactants and the catalyst are in different
phases.
○ Example: Hydrogenation of oils using finely divided nickel as a
catalyst.
○
Mechanism of Catalysis (Adsorption Theory)
1. Adsorption of reactants on the catalyst surface.
2. Formation of an intermediate complex.
3. Desorption of products from the catalyst surface.
Mechanism of Modern Adsorption Theory
1. Diffusion of Reactants to the Catalyst Surface:
The reactant molecules first diffuse or move towards the surface of the
catalyst. This is where the reaction begins, and the catalyst provides an
available surface for the molecules.
2. Adsorption of Reactant Molecules:
Once the reactant molecules reach the catalyst’s surface, they are
adsorbed, meaning they stick to the surface. This occurs due to the
chemical forces or free valencies present on the surface of the catalyst,
which attract the reactants.
3. Chemical Reaction on the Catalyst Surface:
At this stage, the adsorbed molecules undergo a chemical reaction. Often,
intermediate compounds are formed temporarily on the surface of the
catalyst, which facilitates the chemical transformation of reactants into
products.
4. Desorption of Reaction Products:
After the reaction occurs, the products formed are released from the
catalyst’s surface. This process is known as desorption. Once the products
leave, the surface becomes free for another cycle of reaction.
5. Diffusion of Products Away from the Catalyst:
The reaction products diffuse away from the catalyst surface, completing
the cycle and allowing the catalyst to participate in further reactions
without being consumed or altered.
Examples of Industrial Catalytic Processes
● Haber Process: Synthesis of ammonia (N₂ + 3H₂ → 2NH₃) using iron as a
catalyst.
● Contact Process: Manufacture of sulfuric acid (SO₂ + O₂ → SO₃) using
vanadium pentoxide (V₂O₅) as a catalyst.
Shape-Selective Catalysis by Zeolites refers to the ability of zeolites to
selectively catalyze reactions based on the size and shape of the reactant and
product molecules. Zeolites are crystalline aluminosilicates with a
three-dimensional network structure, containing pores and cavities of specific
sizes. These pores allow only certain molecules that fit their dimensions to enter,
thus facilitating reactions for those molecules while excluding others.
This property makes zeolites highly effective in petrochemical industries,
particularly in processes like hydrocarbon cracking and isomerization. One
common zeolite catalyst is ZSM-5, which is used to convert alcohols into
hydrocarbons, such as converting methanol into gasoline.
Biochemical Catalysis by Enzymes
Enzymes are biological catalysts that accelerate biochemical reactions in living
organisms. This phenomenon is known as biochemical catalysis, and the
enzymes responsible are referred to as biochemical catalysts. Many enzymes
have been isolated and obtained in a pure crystalline state, and the first
laboratory synthesis of an enzyme was achieved in 1969. Here are some
examples of enzyme-catalyzed reactions:
1. Inversion of Cane Sugar: The enzyme invertase converts cane sugar
(sucrose) into glucose and fructose.
2. Fermentation of Glucose: The enzyme zymase converts glucose into
ethyl alcohol and carbon dioxide.
3. Conversion of Starch to Maltose: Diastase catalyzes the conversion of
starch into maltose.
4. Conversion of Maltose to Glucose: The enzyme maltase converts
maltose into glucose.
5. Decomposition of Urea: Urease catalyzes the decomposition of urea into
ammonia and carbon dioxide.
6. Protein Breakdown: In the stomach, pepsin breaks down proteins into
peptides, and in the intestine, trypsin converts peptides into amino acids.
7. Conversion of Milk to Curd: The enzyme lactobacilli, found in curd,
catalyzes the conversion of milk into curd.
Enzyme Source Enzymatic Reaction
Invertase Yeast Sucrose → Glucose and fructose
Zymase Yeast Glucose → Ethyl alcohol and carbon dioxide
Diastase Malt Starch → Maltose
Maltase Yeast Maltose → Glucose
Urease Soybean Urea → Ammonia and carbon dioxide
Pepsin Stomach Proteins → Amino acids
