Why are Molecular Orbitals Important in Catalysis?
Molecular orbitals are crucial in catalysis because they dictate how molecules interact with each other and with the catalyst. The overlap of molecular orbitals between the catalyst and the reactant can facilitate or hinder the formation of the transition state, impacting the activation energy and the overall rate of the reaction. Understanding these interactions allows chemists to design catalysts that can more effectively lower activation energies and increase reaction rates.
