Katalysiert

Katalysiert is the past participle of the German verb katalysieren, used to describe a chemical reaction that has been accelerated by a catalyst. In catalysis, an alternative reaction pathway with lower activation energy is provided, increasing the rate of the reaction while the catalyst itself is not consumed in the overall process. Katalyse can occur in different phases, including homogeneous solutions and heterogeneous systems such as reactions at solid surfaces or with gas–solid interfaces. Typically, a catalyst changes the rate but not the position of chemical equilibrium or the final products; it simply allows the reaction to proceed more quickly.

Katalysis has broad applications in science and industry. In industrial chemistry, catalysts enable processes like ammonia synthesis using iron catalysts (Haber-Bosch process) and various hydrogenation reactions with platinum or nickel catalysts. In environmental technology, catalytic converters in automobiles use metal catalysts to reduce harmful exhaust gases. In biochemistry, enzymes act as natural catalysts that speed up biological reactions under mild conditions. The term in everyday language can be extended metaphorically to describe situations or events that accelerate processes, though in technical contexts it denotes a chemical or biochemical acceleration.

Usage notes: the phrase kann be described as “die Reaktion ist katalysiert worden” or “die Reaktion läuft katalysiert ab,” depending on tense and style. The key idea remains that a catalyst enables a faster reaction without being consumed.