a school prelim question from last year gave a question about
buckministerfullrene, at the last part they asked the student why
would the adding of the catalyst which consist of metallic elements
to the buckministerfullerenemake it more efficent as a
catalyst.
the ans that was that the catalyst would help to increase the
exposed surface area which allows for quicker reaction...
any one can explain how this ans is derived???
if i said the metallic element alters the shape of the molecules
to allow reaction to take place more quickly, would it be
acceptable???
Being spherical, C60 has a high surface area. If atoms of the
transition metal catalyst is adsorbed onto C60, like a layer
of metallic dust coating the entire surface of a sticky ball,
there would be a greater surface area available for the transition
metal catalyst to do its work (as opposed to being a pile of
metallic dust on the ground).