In this popular narrative we have attempted to unveil some 'secrets' of catalytic reactions and to provide illustrations which are more closely related to our own field of research. We have placed special emphasis on the kinetic principles of catalysis. In the discussion of catalysis we considered it necessary to give the reader the basic principles of the theory of chemical catalysis and gave examples of catalysis in biology and in industry. It was not our aim to discuss all aspects of catalysis in chemistry and biology, and in this respect this book is far from being comprehensive. The book was translated from the Russian by Alexander Rosinkin and was first published by Mir Publishers in 1979. Contents Contents Introduction Chapter One. An Interview on Catalysis 9 Chapter Two. A Few Words About Industrial Catalysis 15 Chapter Three. Rate of Reaction 21 Chapter Four. Energy Barrier 29 Chapter Five. The Law of Conservation of Disorder 32 Chapter Six. Overcoming the Energy Barrier 38 Chapter Seven. What Next? 42 Chapter Eight. Model Reactions 46 Chapter Nine. The Smile of Mona Lisa 51 Chapter Ten. Acid Catalysis 55 Chapter Eleven. 'Tender Points' of Molecules 65 Chapter Twelve. The Least. What Is It? 71 Chapter Thirteen. Homogeneous Catalysis 78 Chapter Fourteen. Heterogeneous Catalysis 84 Chapter Fifteen. Reaction Medium Acts Like a Catalyst 88 Chapter Sixteen. Catalysis in Biology 95 Chapter Seventeen. Catalysis in the Realm of Elementary Particles 111