Heterogeneous catalysis proceeds through at least four steps. Which comes first?
AActivation of the reactant on the surface
BDesorption of the product from the surface
CAdsorption of the reactant onto the surface
DReaction of the adsorbed species together
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: C. Adsorption of the reactant onto the surface
1. A heterogeneous catalyst works at its surface, so the reactant must first stick to that surface.
2. That opening step is adsorption of the reactant onto the catalyst.
3. Activation and reaction of the adsorbed species can only follow once it is bound.
4. Desorption, the product diffusing away, is the closing step, not the opening one.
_Source: OpenStax Chemistry (CC BY 4.0), Ch 12 "Kinetics", section 12.7 Catalysis_
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