what name is given to any chemical which increases the rate of a chemical reaction?
What name is given to any chemical which increases the rate of a chemical reaction?
Answer: The name given to any chemical which increases the rate of a chemical reaction is a catalyst.
Catalysts function by lowering the activation energy required for a reaction to proceed, thereby increasing the reaction rate without being consumed in the process. They can be classified into two main types:
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Homogeneous Catalysts: These catalysts are in the same phase as the reactants, typically in a solution. An example is the use of sulfuric acid in the esterification of carboxylic acids and alcohols.
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Homogeneous Catalysts: These catalysts are in a different phase than the reactants, such as solid catalysts in a liquid or gas reaction. An example is the use of platinum in catalytic converters to reduce vehicle emissions.
Catalysts are crucial in many industrial processes, including the production of ammonia in the Haber process and the refining of petroleum. They also play significant roles in biological systems, where enzymes act as highly specific and efficient catalysts for biochemical reactions.