Terme de Glossaire

catalytic cycle

Describes a reaction mechanism of a chemical compound under the action of a substance called a catalyzer. Often the catalyzer regenerates at the end of the cycle which can cause chain reactions.  One or several reactive elements link with the catalyzer to form a product and the regeneration of the catalyzer. For example, in the case of the Catalytic cycle of chlorine in the atmosphere, an atom of chlorine (Cl), the catalyzer, reacts with a molecule of ozone (O3) to form a molecule of chlorine monoxide (ClO) and a molecule of oxygen (O2). During a second process, the molecule of ClO reacts with an atom of oxygen to form an atom of chlorine and a molecule of oxygen. The molecule of ozone has therefore been destroyed, the chlorine atom released again and the cycle can begin again.

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