• Question: What do you think is the most interesting thing about catalysts? (Please answer)

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      Asked by Cat-er-lin to John, Laura, Luke, Rob, Ruth on 20 Jun 2016.
      • Photo: Laura Finney

        Laura Finney answered on 20 Jun 2016:

        I think the most interesting thing is how we recycle catalysts as it needs a really good understanding of what is going on in the reaction. In order for them to be unchanged we need to change them back to what they were at the start, as they are changed first and then changed back.
        Also they can let you do reactions which could never be done before! There have been nobel prizes won for catalysis as it opens new doors for us in chemistry 🙂

      • Photo: Robert Williams

        Robert Williams answered on 20 Jun 2016:

        That some catalysts can be engineered to some amazing things.
        For example … https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trost_ligand is a very important catalyst in drug manufacture

      • Photo: Luke Williams

        Luke Williams answered on 21 Jun 2016:

        The variety for me – working with enzymes has definitely shown me the almost infinite variety of enzymes. Truly incredible the number of different types, catalysing different reactions. All made for a particular purposes, whether we are aware of their intended purpose or not. The same enzyme from a different species may do a completely different thing as well…

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