What are the Mechanisms of pH Influence on Catalysis?
Several mechanisms explain how pH fluctuations influence catalytic activity:
Protonation and Deprotonation: Changes in pH can lead to the protonation or deprotonation of active sites, altering their chemical properties and reactivity. Solubility Changes: pH can affect the solubility of reactants, products, or the catalyst itself, impacting the overall reaction rate. Structural Changes: Some catalysts, especially enzymes, can undergo conformational changes in response to pH shifts, affecting their binding affinity and activity.
