What role does solvent proticity play in catalytic reactions?
Protic solvents, which can donate hydrogen atoms (e.g., water, ethanol), can participate in hydrogen bonding and proton transfer processes. This can be beneficial in reactions where protonation or deprotonation steps are critical. Aprotic solvents, such as dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) or acetonitrile, do not donate hydrogen atoms and are preferred in reactions where strong hydrogen bonding needs to be avoided. The choice between protic and aprotic solvents can therefore greatly affect the catalyst's performance and the reaction pathway.
