What Is Catalysis?
A plain-language explanation of catalysts, activation barriers and reaction pathways.
What this topic covers
A plain-language explanation of catalysts, activation barriers and reaction pathways.
Core catalyst ideas
Catalysts provide an alternative reaction pathway with a lower kinetic barrier.
They can accelerate both forward and reverse reactions and do not change the underlying equilibrium position.
Industrial value comes from achieving useful rate and selectivity under practical process conditions.
System tradeoffs
Activity and selectivity are different performance dimensions, and neither alone defines a good industrial catalyst.
Performance evidence
Catalyst value comes from the total process outcome rather than the amount of platinum present.
Lifecycle perspective
Chemical-process conditions are application-specific and are intentionally excluded from this site.