What is Catalysis?
Catalysis refers to the acceleration of a chemical reaction by a substance called a
catalyst, which is not consumed in the reaction and can be used repeatedly. Catalysts play a crucial role in both industrial and biological processes, making them indispensable in modern chemistry and biochemistry.
Heterogeneous Catalysts: These are catalysts in a different phase than the reactants, often solid catalysts in contact with liquid or gas reactants. Innovations include
nanoparticles and
mesoporous materials that provide high surface areas and unique active sites.
Homogeneous Catalysts: These catalysts are in the same phase as the reactants, typically in solution. Recent advancements involve the design of
organometallic complexes that offer high selectivity and activity.
Bio-catalysts: Enzymes and engineered proteins are gaining attention for their ability to catalyze reactions under mild conditions with high specificity. Advances in
protein engineering and
directed evolution have significantly enhanced the performance of these biological catalysts.
Scalability: Laboratory-scale catalytic processes often need significant adaptation for industrial-scale production.
Cost: The development and implementation of new catalysts can be expensive, particularly if they involve rare or precious metals.
Stability: Catalysts must maintain their activity over long periods, which can be challenging under harsh reaction conditions.
