Homogeneous and Heterogeneous Catalysts
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Homogeneous and Heterogeneous Catalysts
I know that homogeneous catalysts appear the same in the products as in the reactants. How does a heterogeneous catalyst appear in a reaction? In class, the example given was of the 'catalyst' in a circle, with two R's on the side.
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Re: Homogeneous and Heterogeneous Catalysts
In the course reader (page 78), it explains that reactants sit on the surface of the catalyst in a reaction (and this is known as adsorption). Although it may look like a typo, adsorption is actually a term that refers to a substance that sticks to the surface (so in a reaction, reactants sticking to the top of a catalyst!). The reactant molecules then become more reactive because of the catalyst and because of this the reaction ensues. It is also important to note that solid metals (like platinum) are more likely than gases or liquids to be catalysts in these reactions because of their ability to activate reactants!
Hope this helps!
Hope this helps!
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Re: Homogeneous and Heterogeneous Catalysts
Heterogeneous reactants are reactants that are catalysts that are in different phases. A heterogeneous catalyst will appear in the reaction mechanism (as different phases), but it will not appear in the final overall chemical reaction.
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Re: Homogeneous and Heterogeneous Catalysts
The terms homogeneous and heterogenous catalysts don't have to do with if they appear in reactants or products. Rather, they have to do with the phases of the catalysts. A homogenous catalyst is in the same phase as the rest of the reactants in the reaction, for example, a catalyst that is a gas in a reaction with other gases. On the other hand, a heterogenous catalyst is one that is a different phase, so a solid catalyst working alongside aqueous reactants.
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