The following reactions indicate the selectivity of heterogeneous catalysis.
`to` Starting with `H_2 and CO`, and using different catalysts, we get different products.
`CO_((g)) + 3H_(2_((g))) overset(Ni_((s)))to CH_(4_((g)))+H_(2)O_((g))`
`CO_((g))+2H_(2_((g))) underset(ZnO-Cr_(2)O_(3))overset(Cu_((s)))to CH_(3)OH_((g))`
`CO_((g))+H_(2_((g))) overset(Cu_((s)))to HCHO_((g))`
The action of a catalyst is highly selective in nature. A substance which acts as a catalyst in one reaction may fail to catalyse another reaction.
