1) Consider the truth of each of the following statements and provide correction
ID: 521045 • Letter: 1
Question
1) Consider the truth of each of the following statements and provide corrections where required. (a) A catalyst introduces a new reaction pathway with lower enthalpy of activation. (b) As the Gibbs energy is more favorable for a catalytic reaction, yields of the product are increased by catalysis. (c) An example of a homogeneous catalyst is the Ziegler-Natta catalyst made from TiCl4 and Al(C2H5)3. (d) Highly favorable Gibbs energies for the attachment of reactants and products to a homogeneous or heterogeneous catalyst are the key to high catalytic activity.
Explanation / Answer
Catalysis is a chemical process that uses an outside substance to accelerate the rate of a chemical reaction.
The presence of the catalyst provides an alternative reaction path, which is energetically much more favorable.
The activation energy of the catalyzed reaction is significantly smaller than that of the uncatalyzed reaction.
The wrong statements are b and c
Since the overall change in Gibbs free energy is the same for the catalyzed reaction as for the uncatalyzed reaction, the catalyst does not change the chemical thermodynamics of the reaction. Thus, if a reaction is thermodynamically unfavorable, the catalyst cannot change that situation.
Ziegler-Natta catalyst made from TiCl4 and Al(C2H5)3 is heterogeneous. Heterogeneous catalysis refers to the form of catalysis where the phase of the catalyst differs from that of the reactants.
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