Homogeneous Catalysis

Homogeneous Catalysis Is A Type Of Chemical Reaction That Occurs When Two Or More Molecules Come Together And Become Activated Into A New Reaction State. Homogeneous Catalysis Is An Important Tool In Both Organic And Inorganic Chemistry As It Allows For A Diverse Range Of Reactions To Take Place, Often In A Highly Efficient Manner. When Catalysts Are Added To A Reaction Mixture, They Can Change The Energy Barrier Required To Move Forward With The Reaction, Making The Reaction More Efficient. There Are Two Main Types Of Homogeneous Catalysis: Homogeneous Ligand-Based Catalysis And Homogeneous Transition Metal-Based Catalysis. Ligand-Based Catalysis Involves The Use Of Transition Metal Complexes As Catalysts For Reactions. This Type Of Catalysis Is Advantageous Because It Allows For A Relatively Small Number Of Molecules To Be Involved In The Reaction. Transition Metal-Based Catalysis Utilizes Transition Metals Such As Ni, Cr, Co, Cu, And Pt To Facilitate The Reaction. This Type Of Catalysis Is Particularly Useful In Metal-Catalyzed Organic Synthesis, Where The Use Of A Transition Metal Can Improve The Reactivity Of The System. Homogeneous Catalysts Often Act By Binding To The Reactants And Providing What Is Called An Activation Barrier, Which Is A Reaction Energy Needed For The Reaction To Take Place. If The Energy Barrier Is Lowered, The Reaction Proceeds More Quickly, Allowing The Chemicals In The Reaction To Interact. Furthermore, Homogeneous Catalysts Can Also Accelerate Specific Steps Of The Reaction In Order To Optimize Yield And Kinetic Rate. Homogeneous Catalysis Is An Extremely Valuable Tool In Modern Chemistry Because Of The High Level Of Control It Allows. Allowing Reactions To Be Run Under Mild Conditions And Providing Efficient Reaction Pathways Can Often Enable The Synthesis Of Complex Molecules. This Type Of Catalysis Has Been Used In The Synthesis Of Such Drugs As Penicillin, Amphotericin B, And Cisplatin. As Science And Technology Evolve, The Application Of Homogeneous Catalysis In Modern Chemistry Is Expected To Continue To Increase.