How Do Molecular Interactions Influence Catalysis?
At the molecular level, interactions between the catalyst and the reactants are governed by various forces, including van der Waals forces, hydrogen bonding, and covalent bonding. These interactions influence how reactants adsorb onto the catalyst surface, how intermediates are stabilized, and how products are desorbed. The strength and nature of these molecular interactions can significantly affect the catalytic efficiency and selectivity.