catalysis

Term: catalysis

Origin: Anc Greek

      κατά/cata(=prefix denoting “down to” or “against”)

λύσις/lysis (=λύω/leo (break up, solve)

 à dissolution or a riot

Jöns Jacob berzelius (1779 –1848)

Coined: in 1835 by Swedish chemist Jöns Jacob berzelius (1779 –1848) who noticed some reactions  were accelerated in the presence of some elements eg  the oxidation of ethyl alcohol yielding acetic acid and the combustion of hydrogen, both take place in the presence of platinum at room temperature. Berzelius wrote that some elements act by” awaking affinities which are asleep”. After Berzelius a new definition of catalysis was given by W. Ostwald, based on the knowledge of chemical equilibrium, that all chemical reactions proceed via a number of more or less stable intermediates.

Definition:

Catalysis is the chemical process in which the rate of a chemical reaction is accelerated due to presence of an molecule called catalyst that is not consumed by the reaction itself.

Comment

Berzelius is also credited with originating the chemical terms “protein “catalysis”, “polymer”, “isomer” and “allotrope” all og Greek origin.