Catalysts stabilize transition states through several mechanisms, including:
Electrostatic Interactions Catalysts can create an electrostatic environment that stabilizes the transition state. For example, many enzymatic catalysts use charged amino acid residues to interact with the transition state, reducing its energy.
Orbital Interactions Catalysts often provide a surface or environment where the orbitals of the transition state can interact more favorably, thereby stabilizing it. This is particularly evident in heterogeneous catalysis, where the surface of the catalyst provides a unique electronic environment.
Conformational Changes Some catalysts induce conformational changes in the reactants, bringing them closer to the transition state configuration. This is a common strategy in biocatalysis, where enzymes manipulate the shape of the substrate to favor the transition state.
