How Does Charge Repulsion Affect Catalytic Reactions?
In catalysis, charge repulsion can impact several aspects of the reaction:
1. Adsorption and Desorption: Charge repulsion can hinder the adsorption of reactants onto the catalyst surface if the charges are similar. Conversely, if the catalyst has a charge opposite to that of the reactants, it can facilitate stronger adsorption. 2. Reaction Pathways: The presence of charge repulsion can alter the reaction pathway by making certain intermediates less stable or by changing the energy barriers that need to be overcome. 3. Selectivity: Charge repulsion can influence which products are formed by favoring certain reaction pathways over others, thereby affecting the selectivity of the catalytic process.
