Heterogeneous catalyst rate-limiting step

In the following we shall study a model system for the synthesis of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) over a heterogeneous catalyst containing a hypothetical metal M. It is proposed to split the reaction into the following elementary steps, which are all assumed to be in quasi-equilibrium except for step 3, which is assumed to be the rate-limiting step ... 

The water-gas shift rates are obviously much lower when heterogenized in comparison with the Rh complexes in homogeneous solutions of the amines (also see Tables 30-33). Kinetics for nitrobenzene reduction were performed for the cis-[Rh(CO)2(2-picoline)2]PF6 catalyst, and reported in 2000. Kinetics displayed a first order dependence on Pco over the range 0-1.9 atm in the temperature range 80-120 °C. As with the kinetics previously reported by Lima Neto and coworkers,121 it was suggested that the CO addition preceded the rate limiting step. A non-linear dependence on the rate versus Rh concentration, as with the previous study, suggested participation by both mononuclear and polynuclear species. 

Using Mossbauer spectroscopy to monitor the formation of p-hematin under in vitro reaction conditions, Adams et al. have demonstrated that the reaction is a psuedo-zero-order process [109]. Such a process is consistent with a mechanism whereby a small concentration of heme is kept soluble via acetate, functioning as a phase-transfer catalyst, in a heme-saturated solution. In the rate limiting step, the soluble heme aggregates to P-hematin, which in turn grows until it precipitates from solution. There are clearly complicated heterogeneous reaction equilibria involved in the aqueous chemical formation of p-hematin. Consequently, it should be emphasized that the detailed mechanistic analysis of the complex solubilization of the species involved in the chemical synthesis... 

In order to formulate an expression x) in (5.57), the rate determining step of the reaction mechanism has to be identified. For many heterogeneously catalyzed liquid-phase reactions the rate limiting step is found to be the reaction of sorbed molecules. For example, in the synthesis of the fuel ethers MTBE, TAME, and ETBE at acid ion-exchange catalyst the rate limiting step can be expressed as follows... 

Therefore, some evidence has been accumulated for the Cu(lOO) surface stabilising activated species and thus acting as a heterogeneous catalyst. The key issue is that gas phase CO is inert towards nucleophiles (but may react by a radical pathway) and that the rate limiting step appears to be concerted H2 bond stretch, accompanying the hydride attack on the adsorbed CO carbon, that is closer to the surface than the oxygen and thereby acquires a partial positive charge. 

In any catalyst selection procedure the first step will be the search for an active phase, be it a. solid or complexes in a. solution. For heterogeneous catalysis the. second step is also deeisive for the success of process development the choice of the optimal particle morphology. The choice of catalyst morphology (size, shape, porous texture, activity distribution, etc.) depends on intrinsic reaction kinetics as well as on diffusion rates of reactants and products. The catalyst cannot be cho.sen independently of the reactor type, because different reactor types place different demands on the catalyst. For instance, fixed-bed reactors require relatively large particles to minimize the pressure drop, while in fluidized-bed reactors relatively small particles must be used. However, an optimal choice is possible within the limits set by the reactor type. 

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