Several methods employ carbon-14 in catalysis research:
Radioisotope Labeling: By incorporating carbon-14 into specific positions within a molecule, researchers can track the fate of that molecule during a chemical reaction. Reaction Pathway Analysis: The distribution of carbon-14 in the reaction products can provide insights into the mechanism and intermediate species involved in the catalysis. Kinetics Studies: Carbon-14 helps in determining the rate of reaction and catalyst efficiency by monitoring the decay and transformation rates.