Catalyst

A catalyst (Greek: καταλύτης, catalyt?s) is a substance that accelerates the rate (speed) of a chemical reaction without itself being transformed or consumed by the reaction (see also catalysis). Chemical catalysts, the focus of this article, participate in reactions but are neither chemical reactants nor chemical products. More generally, one may sometimes call anything which accelerates a reaction without itself being consumed or transformed a catalyst (for example, a "catalyst for political change").

Commonly used catalysts

Estimates are that 60% of all commerically produced chemical products involve catalysts at some stage in the process of their manufacture.{{ref|catalystindustry}} Some of the most famous catalysts ever developed are the Ziegler-Natta catalysts used to mass produce polyethylene and polypropylene. Probably the best-known catalytic reaction is the Haber process for ammonia synthesis, where ordinary iron is used as a catalyst. Catalytic converters made from platinum and rhodium break down some of the more harmful byproducts of automobile exhaust.

Related Topics:
Ziegler-Natta catalyst - Polyethylene - Polypropylene - Haber process - Ammonia - Iron - Catalytic converter - Platinum - Rhodium

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