base catalysis

Base catalysis occurs when a substance called a base speeds up a chemical reaction without being consumed itself. It does this by accepting hydrogen ions or donating electron pairs, which helps break down molecules or form new ones more quickly. Think of it as a facilitator that lowers the energy needed for the reaction to happen, making the process faster and more efficient. This is common in processes like soap making (saponification) and in cleaning products. Overall, base catalysis makes chemical reactions happen more easily and rapidly under certain conditions.