What is the primary function of catalysts in reactions at a molecular level?

The primary function of catalysts in chemical reactions is to provide an alternative reaction pathway with a lower activation energy. This means that a catalyst facilitates the reaction process by lowering the energy barrier that must be overcome for the reactants to transform into products.

When a catalyst is present, it allows the reaction to proceed more quickly or at lower temperatures than it would without the catalyst. Importantly, the catalyst itself is not consumed in the reaction; it may participate in the reaction mechanism but is regenerated at the end, thereby making it available for subsequent reactions.

In contrast to binding reactants together, which can occur in some mechanisms but doesn't define the role of a catalyst, the primary role is to alter the energetic pathway of the reaction. Catalysts do not change the products formed in a reaction, nor do they increase the temperature of the reactants; these actions are unrelated to the fundamental function of a catalyst. Instead, they focus solely on enhancing the reaction rate by modifying the activation energy requirements.