Question

Give one example of homogeneous catalysis.

Illustrate with examples.

Homogeneous catalysis

Answer 1

1. Oxidation of sulphur dioxide to sulphur trioxide in the presence of nitric oxide as catalyst (lead chamber process for the manufacture of H₂SO₄):
   \[\ce{2SO2_{(g)} + O2_{(g)} ->[NO_{(g)}] 2SO3_{(g)}}\]
2. Hydrolysis of ethyl acetate in the presence of dilute sulphuric acid as a catalyst:
   \[\ce{CH3COOC2H5_{(l)} + H2O_{(l)} ->[H+_{(aq)}] CH3COOH_{(l)} + C2H5OH_{(l)} }\]
3. Hydrolysis of an aqueous solution of sucrose in the presence of dilute sulphuric acid as a catalyst:
   \[\ce{C12H22O11_{(aq)} + H2O_{(l)} ->[H+_{(aq)}] \underset{Glucose}{C6H12O6_{(aq)}} + \underset{Fructose}{C6H12O6_{(aq)}}}\]