In the Realm of Catalysis

Contents: 1. An interview on catalysis. 2. A few words about industrial catalysis. 3. Rate of reaction. 4. Energy barrier. 5. The law of conservation of disorder. 6. Overcoming the energy barrier. 7. What next? 8. Model reactions. 9. The smile of Mona Lisa. 10. Acid catalysis. 11. ‘Tender Points’ of molecules. 12. The least. What is it? 13. Homogeneous catalysis. 14. Heterogeneous catalysis. 15. Reaction medium acts like a catalyst. 16. Catalysis in biology. 17. Catalysis in the realm of elementary particles.

In this popular narrative we have attempted to unveil some 'secrets' of catalytic reactions and to provide illustrations which are more closely related to our own field of research. We have placed special emphasis on the kinetic principles of catalysis. In the discussion of catalysis we considered it necessary to give the reader the basic principles of the theory of chemical catalysis and gave examples of catalysis in biology and in industry. It was not our aim to discuss all aspects of catalysis in chemistry and biology and in this respect this book is far from being comprehensive.