katalysierten

Katalysierten is the simple past tense form of the German verb katalysieren, meaning to catalyze. It is used with plural or formal subjects (wir katalysierten, sie katalysierten, Sie katalysierten) and describes a completed catalytic action in the past. The corresponding past participle is katalysiert, which forms the present perfect or passive constructions (die Reaktion wurde katalysiert).

Etymology and meaning: The verb derives from Katalyse, itself from the Greek roots katá- (“down; apart”) and lysis (“loosen, break”). In chemistry and related fields, katalysieren denotes providing an alternative reaction pathway with lower activation energy, so that a reaction proceeds more rapidly without the catalyst being consumed in the overall process.

Usage in science: In scientific writing, katalysierten sentences recount past experiments or observations where catalysts influenced reaction rates or selectivity. For example, "Die Katalysatoren katalysierten die Reaktion effektiv" or "Zwei Enzyme katalysierten die Umwandlung des Substrats." The past tense emphasizes that the catalytic effect occurred during a specific study or timeframe.

Grammatical notes: While katalysierten is a valid form, modern prose more often uses the present or perfect tense (katalysiert, hat katalysiert) unless a narrative or historical tone is intended. The term should not be confused with katalysiert, the past participle used in passive or perfect constructions.

See also: Katalyse, Katalysator, Katalysierung, Biokatalyse.