Chemical groups affect catalysis in several ways: 1. Activity: The presence of certain groups can enhance the catalytic activity. For example, hydroxyl groups often play a crucial role in acid-base catalysis. 2. Selectivity: Functional groups can dictate the selectivity of a catalyst, ensuring that a reaction yields a specific product. For instance, amino groups can help in enantioselective catalysis. 3. Stability: Some groups contribute to the thermal and chemical stability of catalysts, such as phenyl groups in polymer-supported catalysts.
