Here’s a list of common industrial catalysts and the reactions they are used in:
1. Iron (Fe)
- Used in: Haber process (synthesis of ammonia, NH₃ from N₂ and H₂)
- Role: Speeds up nitrogen-hydrogen reaction
- Promoters: K₂O, Al₂O₃, CaO
2. Vanadium(V) oxide (V₂O₅)
- Used in: Contact process (production of sulfuric acid, H₂SO₄)
- Role: Catalyzes oxidation of SO₂ to SO₃
- Promoter: K₂SO₄
3. Platinum (Pt)
- Used in:
- Catalytic converters (convert CO, NOx, hydrocarbons → harmless gases)
- Hydrogenation of alkenes (turns unsaturated fats to saturated)
- Role: Provides surface for adsorption and reaction
4. Nickel (Ni)
- Used in: Hydrogenation reactions in food and chemical industries
- Example: Vegetable oil → margarine (unsaturated → saturated fats)
5. Zeolites (Aluminosilicates)
- Used in: Fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) of petroleum
- Role: Breaks large hydrocarbon chains into smaller, useful fuels
- Benefit: High selectivity for gasoline and branched hydrocarbons
6. Aluminum oxide (Al₂O₃)
- Used in:
- Dehydration of alcohols to alkenes
- Supporting material in heterogeneous catalysts
7. Rhodium (Rh)
- Used in: Ostwald process (oxidation of ammonia to nitric acid)
- Role: Speeds up the reaction efficiently
8. Copper (Cu)
- Used in:
- Methanol production from CO and H₂
- Decomposition of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂ → H₂O + O₂)
In short:
- Metals like Fe, Pt, Ni, Cu, Rh → hydrogenation, redox reactions.
- Oxides like V₂O₅, Al₂O₃ → oxidation or support.
- Zeolites → cracking and selective transformations.