Which of the following statements about homogeneous catalysts is correct?

• A. They cannot be recovered after the reaction.
• B. They are in the same phase as the reactants.
• C. They increase the equilibrium constant of a reaction.
• D. They are always solids while the reactants are liquids or gases.

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the definition of a homogeneous catalyst: it is a catalyst that exists in the same phase (solid, liquid, or gas) as the reactants during the reaction.
2. Recall that catalysts, in general, speed up the rate of a reaction by lowering the activation energy but do not affect the position of equilibrium, so they do not change the equilibrium constant.
3. Recognize that homogeneous catalysts can be recovered after the reaction because they are not consumed; they participate temporarily and are regenerated.
4. Note that homogeneous catalysts are not restricted to being solids; they can be gases or liquids as well, as long as they share the same phase as the reactants.
5. Conclude that the correct statement is that homogeneous catalysts are in the same phase as the reactants.