Question

What are the examples of negative catalysts?

Answer 1

Catalyst:

• A catalyst is defined as any substance that alters the rate of reaction.
• Usually, a catalyst increases the speed of the reaction.

A catalyst can be categorized into two types:

• Positive catalyst
• Negative catalyst

Negative catalyst:

• The catalyst that decreases the rate of reaction is known as a Negative catalyst.
• The rate of reaction decreases by increasing the activation energy which further decreases the number of reactant molecules.

Examples:

• Alcohol acts as a negative catalyst in the oxidation of Sodium sulfide $\left({\mathrm{Na}}_2{\mathrm{SO}}_3\right)$.
• Phosphoric acid $\left({\mathrm{H}}_3{\mathrm{PO}}_4\right)$ serves as a negative catalyst in the decomposition of Hydrogen peroxide $\left({\mathrm{H}}_2{\mathrm{O}}_2\right)$.