Q.What is the role of desorption in the process of catalysis.

Step 1 – The catalytic cycle (adsorption theory of heterogeneous catalysis). Reactants are (i) diffused to and adsorbed on the catalyst surface, (ii) an intermediate is formed, (iii) products form, and (iv) products are desorbed and diffuse away.

Step 2 – Role of desorption. If products stayed bound to the surface, they would block the active sites and the catalyst would soon be inactive. Desorption removes the products, so the freed active sites are again available to adsorb fresh reactant molecules. …

Place desorption as the final step of the surface catalytic cycle and explain what would happen if products did not …

• Confusing desorption (products leaving) with adsorption (reactants arriving). …