How do These Substances Enhance Catalytic Reactions?
Highly reactive substances enhance catalytic reactions by lowering the activation energy required for the reaction to proceed. This is achieved through various mechanisms such as:
- Adsorption: Reactive intermediates adsorb onto the catalyst surface, which stabilizes them and lowers the energy barrier for the reaction. - Formation of Active Sites: Catalysts often contain highly reactive sites that facilitate the breaking and forming of chemical bonds. - Electron Transfer: Some catalytic processes involve the transfer of electrons between the reactive species and the reactants, thereby lowering the activation energy.