homogeneous catalysis

Homogeneous catalysis involves chemical reactions where the catalyst and reactants exist in the same phase, typically a gas or liquid. This is in contrast to heterogeneous catalysis, where reactants and catalysts are in different phases.1

Examples of homogeneous catalysis include:
* Oxides of nitrogen catalyzing the oxidation of sulfur dioxide in the production of sulfuric acid.1
* Traces of water vapor catalyzing reactions between carbon monoxide and oxygen.1
* Sulfuric acid catalyzing the formation of diethyl ether from ethyl alcohol.1
* Copper ions accelerating the oxidation of sodium sulfite solutions.1

Homogeneous reactions are generally simpler to understand than heterogeneous reactions because the chemical changes depend solely on the interactions between the reacting substances. Organometallic compounds are frequently used as catalysts in the chemical industry, particularly in processes like hydrogenation.23