Lead compound production ligand binding

Reversible inhibition caused by materials that can function as ligand. Many compounds will bind to a metal this might be the solvent or impurities in the substrate or the solvent. It can also be a functional group in the substrate or the product, such as a nitrile. Too many ligands bound to the metal complex may lead to inhibition of one of the steps in the catalytic cycle. Likely candidates are formation of the substrate-catalyst complex or the oxidative addition of hydrogen. Removal of the contaminant will usually restore the catalytic activity. 

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