Catalyst changes the rate of the reaction at which reactants are converted to products

Catalysts can be defined as a substance that makes reactions proceed faster without being substantially consumed in the process. Catalyst changes the rate of the reaction at which reactants are converted to products. However, the reaction equilibrium is not affected by the catalysts. In most cases, reactions do not proceed to equilibrium and therefore catalysts work is to influence the rate and the product distribution. A new reaction pathway may be opened by a catalyst by combining it with reactants and conversion proceeding at a faster rate than could have happened in absence of a catalyst. The main characteristic of a catalyzed reaction is a low energy barrier compared to the same reaction when not catalyzed.