The phenomenon which best explains the role of catalyst in a reaction is that the catalyst lowers the Energy of Activation :)
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A catalyst is a substance that speeds up a chemical reaction by lowering the activation energy required for the reaction to occur. It does this by providing an alternative reaction pathway with a lower energy barrier. The catalyst itself is not consumed in the reaction and can be reused multiple times.
A catalyst increases the reaction rate by providing an alternative pathway with lower activation energy for the reaction to occur. This lowers the barrier for successful collisions between the reactant molecules, allowing more of them to reach the activation energy and form the products faster. The catalyst itself is not consumed in the reaction and can be reused multiple times.
Dry ether is used as a catalyst in some chemical reactions because it can solvate ions and stabilize intermediates which helps facilitate the reaction. It also helps in breaking down some compounds and forming new bonds by providing a medium for the reaction to occur. Additionally, it can act as a nucleophile in some reactions due to the presence of lone pair electrons.
Enzymes and chemical catalysts both increase the rate of a chemical reaction without being consumed. The main difference is that enzymes are biological catalysts produced by living organisms, while chemical catalysts are typically synthetic or inorganic substances. Enzymes are typically more specific in their action and operate under milder conditions compared to chemical catalysts.
As most catalysts are quite specific in the (or at least the type of) reaction, in others not working at all, I can't give an answer for 'your acetone-reaction'. But to my best knowledge there are very few reactions I can think of being catalysed by acetone; never heard of, you know.
Catalyst severity refers to the extent or degree of damage or deactivation that a catalyst has undergone. This can include factors such as loss of activity, selectivity, or stability due to various reasons like fouling, poisoning, or thermal degradation. Monitoring and managing catalyst severity is crucial in maintaining optimal performance and efficiency in chemical processes.