How Can Steric Hindrance Be Utilized in Catalysis?
Steric hindrance can be strategically employed to improve the selectivity of catalytic reactions. For instance, in homogeneous catalysis, ligands with bulky substituents can be used to create a specific environment around the active site. This can help in steering the reaction towards a particular product, thereby enhancing selectivity. Similarly, in heterogeneous catalysis, the surface structure of the catalyst can be modified to include bulky groups that selectively allow certain molecules to react while blocking others.
