Abstract
The following topics are reviewed: catalyst activity and coordination power; influence of coordination on ligand reactivity; influence of ligands on the catalytic activity of metal ions; coordination interaction and characteristics of the transition state of the catalytic reaction. Because interactions of the coordination type occur frequently in catalysis, the experimental results and the theoretical concepts of coordination chemistry can be fruitfully applied to problems in catalysis: various approaches of this type are discussed. The important role of mixed complexes and of dative interaction in the mechanism of many catalytic reactions is stressed. 210 references.