What Role Does Electron Density Play in Homogeneous Catalysis?
For homogeneous catalysts, which operate in the same phase as the reactants, electron density affects how the catalyst interacts with reactants and intermediates. Ligands around a metal center, for example, can donate or withdraw electron density, thereby tuning the reactivity of the metal center. This can be critical for processes like hydrogenation, oxidation, or carbon-carbon coupling reactions.