What Are Electron-Rich and Electron-Poor Catalysts?
Electron-rich catalysts have a high density of electrons, making them excellent at donating electrons to reactants. Conversely, electron-poor catalysts are good at accepting electrons. The nature of the catalyst, whether it is electron-rich or electron-poor, determines the types of reactions it can efficiently catalyze. For instance, electron-rich catalysts are often used in hydrogenation reactions, while electron-poor catalysts are used in oxidation reactions.
