What are Some Practical Examples of Crystal Field Theory in Catalysis?
One common example is the use of heterogeneous catalysts in industrial processes like the Haber-Bosch process for ammonia synthesis. The activity of these catalysts can be partly explained by the crystal field effects of the metal centers. In homogeneous catalysis, CFT is crucial in understanding the behavior of metal complexes in reactions like hydrogenation, hydroformylation, and olefin polymerization.