The
catalysis of a chemical reaction by a series of
Brønsted acids (which may include the solvated hydrogen ion) so that the rate of the catalysed part of the reaction is given by
multiplied by some function of
substrate concentrations. (The acids
HA
are unchanged by the overall reaction.) General
catalysis by acids can be experimentally distinguished from
specific catalysis by hydrogen cations (
hydrons) by observation of the
rate of reaction as a function of buffer concentration.
Source:
PAC, 1994, 66, 1077
(Glossary of terms used in physical organic chemistry (IUPAC Recommendations 1994))
on page 1117
