The importance of purity can be attributed to several factors: - Catalyst Activity: Impurities can poison the active sites of the catalyst, reducing its activity. - Selectivity: Impure catalysts may produce unwanted by-products, affecting the selectivity of the desired reaction. - Longevity: Contaminants can lead to the deactivation of the catalyst over time, reducing its lifespan. - Reproducibility: High purity ensures that catalytic reactions are reproducible, which is crucial for industrial applications.