Oxides function through various mechanisms, including:
- Redox Reactions: Transition metal oxides can readily switch between oxidation states, facilitating electron transfer processes. For example, manganese dioxide (MnOâ) is commonly used in oxidation reactions. - Acid-Base Catalysis: Oxides like zirconia (ZrOâ) exhibit acid or base properties, which can catalyze reactions such as esterification and transesterification. - Photocatalysis:Titanium dioxide (TiOâ) is widely used in photocatalytic applications, where it absorbs light to generate electron-hole pairs that drive chemical reactions.