How are catalyst different from reactants?

Catalysis is a multi-billion dollar industry and is a prerequisite for more than 20% of all production in the industrial world. A catalyst is a material that accelerates the rate of a reaction without being consumed. read more

Reactants are the compounds or elements that react with each other to create a new chemical compound. A catalyst takes part in a reaction by increasing its efficiency (making the reaction simply work or speeding it up), usually by promoting intermediate steps in the reaction. read more

Catalysts can be divided into two main types - heterogeneous and homogeneous. In a heterogeneous reaction, the catalyst is in a different phase from the reactants. In a homogeneous reaction, the catalyst is in the same phase as the reactants. reactant is a substance or compound consumed during a chemical reaction. read more

Heterogeneous catalysis. This involves the use of a catalyst in a different phase from the reactants. Typical examples involve a solid catalyst with the reactants as either liquids or gases. read more