ca
ta
lyst
Plural
catalysts
1
(chemistry) a substance that causes a chemical reaction to happen at a faster rate without undergoing any chemical change itself
- Enzymes are naturally occurring biological catalysts that allow complex metabolic reactions to proceed efficiently in living cells.
- Platinum nanoparticles acted as an effective catalyst for the reaction, significantly lowering the activation energy needed.
- In the Haber process, iron is used as a catalyst to promote the synthesis of ammonia from nitrogen and hydrogen gases.
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2
a person, thing, or event that provokes or accelerates change or activity by introducing new perspectives or actions
- The new policy acted as a catalyst for reform within the organization.
- The unexpected merger served as a catalyst for industry-wide changes.
- The protest was a catalyst for the government to address long-standing issues.
- The economic crisis acted as a catalyst for major financial regulations.
- The discovery of the artifact served as a catalyst for renewed archaeological exploration.