Catalytic mechanisms

Acid-base catalysis

Give and take protons; moves H+ around to make the reaction easier

Covalent catalysis

Change reaction paths; temporarily forms covalent bond with substrate

Metal ion catalysis

Use redox cofactors, pKa shifters; metal ion helps reaction by stabilizing charges or helping substrates bind

Electrostatic catalysis

Preferential electrostatic interactions with transition state, stabilize charges in transition state, destabilize charges in substrate; oppositely charged groups to stabilize intermediates

Proximity, orientation, and strain

Stabilize two or more substrates in the proper proximity and orientation to allow for reaction, destabilize bonds in the substrate by binding strained conformations, destabilizing the substrate; brings them closer together and lines them up correctly