pH can profoundly influence catalytic activity, especially in enzyme-catalyzed reactions and heterogeneous catalysis. The pH affects the ionization state of the active sites, substrates, and intermediates.
Enzyme Catalysis: Enzymes have an optimal pH range where their activity is maximized. Deviations from this range can lead to changes in the enzyme’s structure and, consequently, its catalytic efficiency. Heterogeneous Catalysis: In acid-base catalysis, the pH determines the availability of protons (H+) or hydroxide ions (OH−), which can act as active sites or participate in the reaction mechanism.
