Transition metal CATALYSIS Flashcards
Why do transition metals and their complexes make good catalysts?
Because they can change oxidation states by gaining or losing electrons within their d-orbitals
How do transition metals and their complexes act as catalysts?
They can transfer electrons to speed up reactions
What is made in ‘The Contact Process’ ?
Makes sulphuric acid
What catalyses the contact process?
Vanadium (V) oxide
V2O5
How many steps is the contact process made up of?
2
What is the overall equation of the contact process?
SO2 (g) + 1/2O2(g) –(V2O5 catalyst, solid)—> SO3(g)
What is the 1st step of the contact process?
First, vanadium(V) oxide OXIDISES
SO2 –> SO3 and is reduced in itself to vanadium (IV) oxide
What is the equation for the 1st step of the contact process?
V2O5 + SO2 –> V2O4 + SO3
What happens in the 2nd stage of the contact process?
The reduced catalyst is oxidised by oxygen back to its original state
What is the equation for the 2nd stage of the contact process?
V2O4 + 1/2O2 –> V2O5
How does having variable oxidation states allow vanadium (V) oxide to catalyse the contact process?
V2O5 is able to oxidise SO2 –> SO3 because it can be reduced to V2O4. It is then oxidised back to V2O5 by oxygen, ready to start again. If vanadium didn’t have variable oxidation states it wouldn’t be able to catalyse this reaction
What is a heterogeneous catalyst?
A catalyst that is in a different phase from the reactants and the reaction occurs at active sites on the surface
Give two examples of a heterogeneous catalyst and in what process are they used in?
Iron catalyst (s) which is used in the Haber Process
&
Vanadium (V) oxide which is used in the Contact Process
What is the Haber process used to make?
Ammonia
Give the overall equation for the Haber process:
N2 (g) + 3H2(g) – (Fe(s) catalyst) –> 2NH3 (g)
How does a heterogeneous catalyst work during its reaction?
The catalyst is a solid and the reactants are gases, gases are passed over the surface of the solid catalyst.
How can you increase the rate of reaction when a heterogeneous catalyst is used?
Increasing the surface area of the catalyst increases the number of molecules that can react at the same time which increases the rate of reaction.
What is often used in order to increase the surface area of a heterogeneous catalyst?
A SUPPORT MEDIUM is often used to make the surface area of a catalyst as large as possible.
What are two advantages of a support medium which is used in reactions that involve a heterogeneous catalyst?
maximise the surface area of a heterogeneous catalyst and minimise the cost.
What does a catalytic converter do?
Cleans up emissions from car engines
They convert waste gases to less harmful products
Describe the structure of a catalytic converter:
They contain a ceramic lattice coated with a thin layer of rhodium
What acts as a catalyst in a catalytic converter?
Rhodium
Give the equation for the reaction that occurs in a catalytic converter:
2CO(g) + 2NO(g) –(Rh catalyst)–> 2CO2(g) + N2(g)