Editing Catalysis (section)

===Bulk chemicals===
[[File:CataylstExampleSulfuricAcidPlant.jpg|alt=Typical vanadium pentoxide catalyst used in sulfuric acid production for an intermediate reaction to convert sulfur dioxide to sulfur trioxide.|thumb|Typical vanadium pentoxide catalyst used in sulfuric acid production for an intermediate reaction to convert sulfur dioxide to sulfur trioxide.]]
Some of the largest-scale chemicals are produced via catalytic oxidation, often using [[oxygen]]. Examples include [[nitric acid]] (from ammonia), [[sulfuric acid]] (from [[sulfur dioxide]] to [[sulfur trioxide]] by the [[contact process]]), [[terephthalic acid]] from p-xylene, [[acrylic acid]] from [[propylene]] or [[propane]] and [[acrylonitrile]] from propane and ammonia.<ref name="doi"/>

The production of ammonia is one of the largest-scale and most energy-intensive processes. In the [[Haber process]] [[nitrogen]] is combined with hydrogen over an iron oxide catalyst.<ref name=Smil_2004_Enriching>{{cite book |last1=Smil |first1=Vaclav |title=Enriching the Earth: Fritz Haber, Carl Bosch, and the Transformation of World Food Production |date=2004 |publisher=MIT |location=Cambridge, MA |isbn=9780262693134 |edition=1st}}</ref> [[Methanol]] is prepared from [[carbon monoxide]] or carbon dioxide but using copper-zinc catalysts.

Bulk polymers derived from [[ethylene]] and [[propylene]] are often prepared using [[Ziegler–Natta catalyst]]. Polyesters, polyamides, and [[isocyanate]]s are derived via [[acid–base catalysis]].

Most [[carbonylation]] processes require metal catalysts, examples include the [[Monsanto acetic acid process]] and [[hydroformylation]].