CO(g) and H2 (g) react to give different products in the presence of different catalysts. Which ability of the catalyst is shown by these reactions?
The characteristic shown by the catalyst is known as catalytic selectivity, i.e, the catalyst determines the products formed. For example,
- If CO and H2 react in the presence of Ni (nickel) as catalyst the product is methane.
- If CO and H2 react in the presence of Cu (copper) as catalyst the product formed is methanol.