catalystassisted

Catalystassisted describes processes that rely on a catalyst to increase reaction rate or improve selectivity while the catalyst itself is not consumed. In chemistry, a catalyst provides an alternative, lower-energy pathway for a reaction, enabling transformations under milder conditions or with greater control over products. Catalysts can be homogeneous, existing in the same phase as reactants, or heterogeneous, acting at solid surfaces. Other categories include photocatalysts that use light to drive reactions and biocatalysts such as enzymes that function as natural catalysts.

Mechanisms of catalystassisted processes vary by catalyst type. Homogeneous catalysts often operate through defined metal centers and ligands that orient or activate substrates. Heterogeneous catalysts rely on active sites on a solid surface that facilitate bond making and breaking. Photocatalysts absorb light to promote electron transfer, initiating or accelerating reactions. Enzymes, as biological catalysts, use highly specific active sites to achieve selective transformations. The term emphasizes the catalyst’s role in enabling the process, without implying that the catalyst is consumed or forms part of the final product.

Applications span many fields. In chemical synthesis, catalystassisted methods enable pharmaceutical production, polymer formation, and fine-chemical manufacturing. In energy and environment, they underpin processes such as hydrogen production, fuel cells, CO2 reduction, and pollutant degradation, including catalytic converters in vehicles. Advantages include faster rates, milder conditions, and improved selectivity; challenges involve catalyst cost, potential deactivation or poisoning, and issues related to recovery and recycling. Ongoing research aims to develop more durable, efficient, and inexpensive catalyst systems for a wide range of applications.