Are catalysts allowed to remain in the product mixture after reaction is complete?

1 Answer
Jun 21, 2017

Practically,..........yes.........

Explanation:

A catalyst typically provides another lower reaction pathway, and thus increases the rate of reaction; I stress that a catalyst typically lowers #E_a#, #"the activation energy"#; it does not alter the thermodynamic parameters of the reaction.

Ideally, a catalyst is not chemically altered during a reaction. Typically, a solid metal surface (and these are the typical catalysts) can become #"poisoned"# during the chemical reaction. Catalysts, even precious metal ones, are typically discarded when this occurs. It is easier to add a new catalyst, they are so active that you do not need a large quantity and this is not an expensive proposition, than fishing out the poisoned catalyst and restoring it.