Question

Adam’s catalyst is:
a.) Platinum
b.) Iron
c.) Molybdenum
d.) Nickel

Answer 1

A catalyst is a chemical substance that are generally added or can be added to a reaction to increase the reaction rate without getting consumed in the process and sometimes they may also be used to decrease the reaction rate of a reaction, in such cases the substances are called ‘reverse catalyst’. These catalysts in general speed up or speed down the reaction by reducing its activation energy or either changing the reaction mechanism.

Complete step by step solution:
Platinum $\left( IV \right)$ Oxide $\left( Pt{{O}_{2}} \right)$ is referred to as the stable basic material or compound that is known as Adam's catalyst. It is a dark brownish powder and acts as an avidly active catalyst.
- It is produced by heating chloroplatinic acid $\left( {{H}_{2}}PtC{{l}_{6}} \right)$ along with sodium nitrate $\left( NaN{{O}_{3}} \right)$ when Platinum nitrate is produced and this decomposes to Platinum $\left( IV \right)$ Oxide $\left( Pt{{O}_{2}} \right)$ with evolution of nitrogen dioxide gas $\left( N{{O}_{2}} \right)$ and Oxygen. The catalyst is generally used in the process of Hydrogenation of alkenes to alkanes, nitro compounds to amino compounds and acids and ketones to alcohols.
Therefore, the correct option would be (A) Platinum which and whose intermediate compound Platinum $\left( IV \right)$ Oxide $\left( Pt{{O}_{2}} \right)$ acts as Adam's catalyst.
So, the correct answer is “Option A”.

Note: One is advised to note and remember that the actual catalyst is less of the Platinum $\left( IV \right)$ Oxide and more of the divided Platinum black which forms during the process of hydrogenation reaction .