What is the Role of Reaction Intermediates in Catalysis?
Reaction intermediates are species formed during the transformation of reactants to products in a catalytic cycle. These intermediates often appear in the rate laws of catalytic reactions. Understanding the concentration and behavior of intermediates is crucial for deriving accurate rate laws. Techniques such as spectroscopy and mass spectrometry can be used to detect and quantify intermediates, providing insights into the reaction mechanism and rate law.
