Transition Metals Part 3 Flashcards
Catalyst
Substance which increases rate of a chemical reaction without being changed in chemical composition/amount
What do catalysts provide
An alternative reaction route with a lower activation energy
What is not changed in presence of a catalyst
Delta H
Why does rate of reaction increase in presence of a catalyst (MB)
Shaded area bigger- more molecules have energy greater than or equal to activation energy- more successful collisions
Why can transition metals act as catalysts in a wide range of reactions
They have variable oxidation states
Heterogeneous catalyst
A catalyst in a different state/phase to the reactants
Examples of heterogeneous catalysts
- iron in Haber processs
- vanadium (V) oxide in contact process
Why is a very thin layer of metal used on a support medium when transition metals act as catalysts
- increases SA also less metal used
- molecules absorb, bonds weaken, lowers EA
- reaction proceeds, products desorb, leaving space for new reactants
How to heterogeneous catalysts work
By adsorbing reactants to active sites on catalyst surface
How can heterogeneous catalysts be poisoned
Impurities in reactants May also bind to active sites and block reactants
Why does catalyst being poisoned reduce efficiency of catalyst
It blocks active sites and reduced SA available for reaction- slowing it down
How can poisoning of catalyst be minimised
Purifying the reactants
What is the contact process used industrially for
To manufacture sulphuric acid
What acts as a heterogeneous catalyst in contact process
Vanadium (V) oxide
Step 1 contact process;
Sulfur dioxide diffuses onto active sites and redox reaction occurs
