MasteryExams
General Science • ChemistryHard

Which catalyst is employed in the industrial Haber-Bosch process for synthesizing ammonia from nitrogen and hydrogen gases?

A. Finely divided nickel
B. Iron catalyst promoted with potassium oxide and alumina✓ Correct Answer
C. Vanadium pentoxide
D. Platinum-rhodium gauze

💡 Solution & Explanation

The industrial Haber-Bosch process utilizes an iron catalyst promoted with potassium oxide and aluminum oxide to accelerate the synthesis of ammonia from atmospheric nitrogen and hydrogen at high pressures. Finely divided nickel is standard for hydrogenating vegetable oils into saturated fats. Vanadium pentoxide catalyzes the oxidation of sulfur dioxide to sulfur trioxide in the Contact process. Platinum-rhodium gauze serves as the catalyst for oxidizing ammonia into nitric acid during Ostwald process manufacturing.

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