Reaction progress kinetic analysis: a powerful methodology for mechanistic studies of complex catalytic reactions.

Reaction progress kinetic analysis to obtain a comprehensive picture of complex catalytic reaction behavior is described. This methodology employs in situ measurements and simple manipulations to construct a series of graphical rate equations that enable analysis of the reaction to be accomplished from a minimal number of experiments. Such an analysis helps to describe the driving forces of a reaction and may be used to help distinguish between different proposed mechanistic models. This Review describes the procedure for undertaking such analysis for any new reaction under study.