Geometric factors in catalysis

The theoretical approach to the subject of surface catalysis was first considered in a series of classical papers by Langmuir (1), who suggested that the adsorbed particles are held to the surface by chemical forces, and applied the theory to interaction of adsorbed species at adjacent adsorption sites on the surface. Langmuir pointed out that steric hindrance effects between molecules might play a prominent part, and the role of the geometric factor in catalysis was greatly emphasized by Balandin and others. The importance of this factor has already been reviewed in this series by Trapnell (2) and Griffiths (3). 

These few suggestions will indicate that a better knowledge of the geometrical factors in catalysis can only be obtained by the combined results of several distinct methods of theoretical and practical treatment. One of the most important of these is to increase the information available about the nature of the bond between the adsorbed molecule and the catalyst, and about its dependence on the chemical properties of the catalyst elements. 

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