Glossary

Catalyse; catalysis

Process occurring during reaction mechanisms in chemistry whereby a species, the catalyst, enables a reaction to take place without entering the balance equation. Catalysts make it possible to lower the activation energy of the kinetically decisive step, or to take less energy-intensive reaction paths, which results in a kinetic effect. Catalysis is used in the majority of industrial chemical processes.

Catalyse hétérogène; heterogeneous catalysis

A branch of catalysis characterized by the fact that the catalyst and reactants are not in the same phase. This is often the case with an insoluble solid catalyst and reactants in a fluid, liquid or gaseous phase.

Catalyse homogène; homogeneous catalysis

A branch of catalysis characterized by the fact...