Which outcome occurs when a platinum catalyst in a hydrogenation reactor becomes poisoned by sulfur compounds?

A)Hydrogenation reaction rate significantly decreases✓

B)Reactor temperature uncontrollably increases

C)Alkane product selectivity drastically rises

D)Catalyst surface area increases due to etching

💡 Explanation

When a catalyst is poisoned, sulfur bonds preferentially to the active sites on the platinum surface because sulfur's electron affinity is higher, thereby blocking reactant adsorption and reducing the effective catalyst concentration. Therefore the hydrogenation rate decreases, rather than increased temperature, alkane selectivity, or area increase, which depend on alternative process failures.

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Which outcome occurs when a platinum catalyst in a hydrogenation reactor becomes poisoned by sulfur compounds?

💡 Explanation

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