Selectivity loss in catalysis can be attributed to several factors:
1. Reaction Conditions: Temperature, pressure, and concentration can influence the activation energy and pathways of reactions, leading to the formation of undesired products. 2. Catalyst Deactivation: Over time, catalysts may lose their activity due to poisoning, sintering, or coking, which can change the active sites and reduce selectivity. 3. Mass Transfer Limitations: In heterogeneous catalysis, diffusion limitations can result in non-uniform concentration gradients, causing side reactions. 4. Reactant Impurities: Impurities in the reactants can interact with the catalyst, leading to side reactions and reduced selectivity.
