1.Background
The oldest documented catalyst reaction and promovide by man is fermentation of wine (5000 years BC). It’s a reaction of enzimatic catalysis, in wich an enzyma convert selectivaly the sugars in alcohol.
Generally enzymes are proteins, the mechanism of functioning is complex, but it can be simplified with the model “key-lock” that Fischer raised in the 19th century.
The enzyme has “to recognize” the appropiate substrat. If this doesn’t fit in active site, reaction doesn’t not occur or occurs much less effectively. Once the reaction has produced, the door will open and will leave out the products.
In 1812, Thernard observed the spontaneous decomposition of oxygenated water (hydrogen peroxide) by adding metallic powders. In 1817, Sir Humphry Davy reported that a platinum wire in contact with alcohol became incandescent, while simultaneously acetic acid appeared. In 1825, Fumiseri suggested that there should be a possible union between the chemical reaction and adsorption, where the surface is the most important. In 1836, Berzelius introduced the term catalysis.
And so, what is catalysis? According to Berzelius : Different substances simples or compounds, solubles or insolubles, they have the property to exercise over other substances an effect more different to the chemical affinity. Through this effect they produce decomposition in the elements of those substances and different recombinations of those elements, of which they remain separate.
But if you want to know more about catalysis, wait for the next chapter where we will give you more details concerning modern catalysis and their applications.
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