What is the Role of Enthalpy and Entropy in Catalysis?
In a catalytic reaction, the changes in enthalpy (ΔH) and entropy (ΔS) are critical. Enthalpy change represents the heat absorbed or released during the reaction, while entropy change indicates the disorder or randomness. The Gibbs free energy (ΔG) of a reaction, defined as ΔG = ΔH - TΔS, determines the spontaneity. Catalysts do not alter ΔG; they only reduce the activation energy, thereby affecting the kinetic pathway rather than the thermodynamic equilibrium.
