Catalysis by acids, bases and metal ions - The influence of pH on the reaction rate

4 important questions on Catalysis by acids, bases and metal ions - The influence of pH on the reaction rate

How can the influence of pH on the reaction rate be visualised?

By making  pH-rate profile, a graph which plots log k against pH.

What two different acid or base catalysises are there?

Specific acid/base catalysis and general acid/base catalysis.

What is specific acid/base catalysis?

With specific acid/base catalysis a proton is rapidly transferred in a pre-equilibrium; the rate determining step is the reaction from protonated substrate to product.

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What is general acid/base catalysis?

In general acid/base catalysis the protonation step is slow and thus rate determining; the reaction from protonated substrate to products(s) is therefor fast.

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