Catalysts Learning intention Learn how a catalyst speeds up reaction rate by lowering the activation energy, and how to represent this on a potential energy diagram.

Catalysts at Work Heterogeneous Homogeneous Enzymes are biological catalysts, and are protein molecules that work by homogeneous catalysis. E.g. invertase and lactase. Enzymes are used in many industrial processes When the catalyst and reactants are in different states you have ‘Heterogeneous Catalysis’. They work by the adsorption of reactant molecules. E.g. Ostwald Process (Pt) for making nitric acid and the Haber Process (Fe) for making ammonia and the Contact Process (Pt) for making Sulphuric Acid. When the catalyst and reactants are in the same state you have ‘Homogeneous Catalysis’. E.g. making ethanoic acid from methanol and CO using a soluble iridium complex.

How a heterogenous catalyst works Heterogenous Catalysis are thought to work in three stages... Adsorption Reaction Desorption Higher Chemistry Eric Alan and John Harris

For an explanation of what happens click on the numbers in turn, starting with  How a heterogenous catalyst works

Adsorption (STEP 1) Incoming species lands on an active site and forms bonds with the catalyst. It may use some of the bonding electrons in the molecules thus weakening them and making a subsequent reaction easier. How a heterogenous catalyst works

Adsorption (STEP 1) Incoming species lands on an active site and forms bonds with the catalyst. It may use some of the bonding electrons in the molecules thus weakening them and making a subsequent reaction easier. Reaction (STEPS 2 and 3) Adsorbed gases may be held on the surface in just the right orientation for a reaction to occur. This increases the chances of favourable collisions taking place. How a heterogenous catalyst works

Des orption (STEP 4) There is a re-arrangement of electrons and the products are then released from the active sites Adsorption (STEP 1) Incoming species lands on an active site and forms bonds with the catalyst. It may use some of the bonding electrons in the molecules thus weakening them and making a subsequent reaction easier. Reaction (STEPS 2 and 3) Adsorbed gases may be held on the surface in just the right orientation for a reaction to occur. This increases the chances of favourable collisions taking place. How a heterogenous catalyst works

Metals Ni, Pthydrogenation reactions FeHaber Process Rh, Pdcatalytic converters Oxides Al 2 O 3 dehydration reactions V 2 O 5 Contact Process FormatFINELY DIVIDEDincreases the surface area provides more collision sites IN A SUPPORT MEDIUMmaximises surface area and reduces costs Examples of heterogenous catalysts

In some cases the choice of catalyst can influence the products C 2 H 5 OH ——> CH 3 CHO + H 2 C 2 H 5 OH ——> C 2 H 4 + H 2 O Ethanol undergoes different reactions depending on the metal used as the catalyst. The distance between active sites and their similarity with the length of bonds determines the method of adsorption and affects which bonds are weakened. AluminaDehydrationCopperDehydrogenation (oxidation) How a heterogenous catalyst works

Poisoning Impurities in a reaction mixture can also adsorb onto the surface of a catalyst thus removing potential sites for gas molecules and decreasing efficiency. expensive because... the catalyst has to replaced the process has to be shut down examplesSulphur Haber process Lead catalytic converters in cars How a heterogenous catalyst works

Investigating Catalysis

The problem Transition metals and their compounds are said to be effective catalysts You are asked to link the transition metal compounds to their ability to act as a catalyst for the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide

Materials available hydrogen peroxide solution (5-10 vol) cobalt(II) chloride (aq) copper(II) sulphate (aq) manganese(II) chloride (aq) nickel(II) nitrate (aq) bench dilute sodium hydroxide (approximately 1 mol l -1 ).

Decomposition of hydrogen peroxide Hydrogen → water + oxygen 2H 2 O 2 → 2H 2 O + O 2 What will you see during the reaction? What is the test for oxygen?

Testing the catalysts Collect 5 test tubes in a rack To each add 5 cm 3 of hydrogen peroxide Add 3 cm 3 of a different catalyst to 4 test tubes, leaving the last one as a control Note the results

Which type of catalysis? Did the experiment involve heterogeneous or homogeneous catalysis? Which catalyst was the most effective?

Changing the solubility of the catalysts The transition metal ion in the compound has the catalytic effect. The ion can be found in solution (aqueous) or in a solid state. How could you use the chemicals provided to create transition metal ions in the solid state i.e. a heterogeneous catalyst?

Investigate the effect of changing the state of the catalysts Which was the best catalyst overall?

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An Example of a homogenous catalyst Dissolve 4 spatulas full of potassium sodium tartrate in a small beaker with about 2.5 cm depth of water. Repeat with another beaker (the control) To one beaker, add enough 10% cobalt chloride solution (catalyst) for the solution to be pink. Add 10 ml hydrogen peroxide to the beakers. Heat the control to around o C and note observations Now heat the one with the catalyst and note observations

An Example of a homogenous catalyst Higher Chemistry Eric Alan and John Harris

Catalysts work by providing… “AN ALTERNATIVE REACTION PATHWAY WHICH HAS A LOWER ACTIVATION ENERGY” Catalysts and Potential energy diagrams

Potential energy graphs and catalysts P.E Reaction path Reactants Products Uncatalysed Catalysed

Potential energy graphs and catalysts Catalysts lower the activation energy needed for a successful collision. Activation energy E a for the forward uncatalysed reaction P.E. Reactants Products Reaction path Activation energy E a for the forward catalysed reaction

Potential energy graphs and catalysts Catalysts lower the activation energy needed for a successful collision. Activation energy E a for the reverse uncatalysed reaction reaction P.E. Reactants Products Reaction path Activation energy E a for the reverse catalysed reaction

Potential energy graphs and catalysts P.E Reaction path ∆HActivation energy Effect of catalyst – forward reaction No changeLowered Effect of catalyst – reverse reaction No changeLowered Catalysts lower the activation energy needed for a successful collision. Reactants Products

Catalysts A catalyst speeds up the reaction by lowering the activation energy. A catalyst does not effect the enthalpy change for a reaction A catalyst speeds up the reaction in both directions and therefore does not alter the position of equilibrium or the yield of product, but does decrease the time taken to reach equilibrium.

Energy distribution and catalysts Total number of collisions (area under the graph) with sufficient K.E. energy to create new products. Catalysed reaction E a is reduced No of Collisions with a given K.E. Kinetic energy EaEa EaEa Un-catalysed reaction

Concentrated solutions of hydrogen peroxide are used in the propulsion systems of torpedoes. Hydrogen peroxide decomposes naturally to form water and oxygen: 2H 2 O 2(aq) → 2H 2 O (ℓ) + O 2(g) ΔH = −196∙4 kJ mol –1 Transition metal oxides act as catalysts in the decomposition of the hydrogen peroxide. Unfortunately, there are hazards associated with the use of hydrogen peroxide as a fuel in torpedoes. It is possible that a leak of hydrogen peroxide solution from a rusty torpedo may trigger an explosion. Using your knowledge of chemistry, comment on why this could happen.