Catalysis
The process by which a reaction rate is increased through the action of a catalyst.
Unit
Dimensionless
In depth
Catalysis is classified as homogeneous, heterogeneous or enzymatic according to the phase relationship between catalyst and reactants. More than ninety per cent of industrial chemical processes involve catalysis at some stage, and improvements in catalysts are a principal route to reduced energy consumption.
Examples in the real world
The catalytic cracking of heavy oil fractions over zeolites; enzymatic catalysis throughout metabolism.