The Student Room Group
Competition - post a photo you've taken of nature >>
Competition - post a photo you've taken of nature >>
Competition - post a photo you've taken of nature >>

The use of heterogeneous catalysts instead of homogeneous -Advs

The question was why industrial chemists prefer heterogeneous catalysts to homogeneous catalysts.
Here is the MS
Screenshot (109).png
What is meant by stereospecific here ?
Stereospecificity is the way in which a reaction mechanism proceeds to give specific isomers/specific stereochemistry for your products. E.g. a heterogeneous catalyst, which could be a surface metal for example may prefer one mechanism over another giving rise to the Z isomer of an alkene rather than a E isomer. Homogenous catalysts don't really do this - for a homogenous catalyst, think acid catalyst or protons that allow a reaction to proceed (e.g make a carbonyl more electrophilic). They have catalytic action but don't influence the stereochemistry of the product (unlike heterogeneous catalysts which can do).

Quick Reply

Related discussions

Latest

Trending

Trending

Articles for you