Catalytic Properties of Transition Metals

The catalytic activity of transition metals and their compounds is associated with their variable oxidation states. Typical catalysts are vanadium(V) oxide (contact process for sulphuric acid), finely divided iron (Haber’s process), nickel (catalytic hydrogenation) and palladium(II) chloride and a copper(II) salt for the production of ethanol from ethane and water (Wacker’s process). Haemoglobin, a large molecule containing Fe(II), acts as a catalyst for the respiration process.

Catalysis at a solid surface involves the formation of bonds between reactant molecules and the catalyst surface atoms, this has the effect of increasing the concentration of the reactants at the catalyst surface and also of weakening the bonds in the reactant molecules (the activation energy is lowered).