Sequence of reaction steps in the form of a loop. One step is binding of a reactant to the active catalyst (sometimes formed from a precatalyst), and another step is the release of product and regeneration of the catalyst.
Example: \(\ce{A + B -> C}\), catalyzed by
\(\ce{X}\) formed from precatalyst
\(\ce{X'}\).
Source:
PAC, 2022, 94, 353. 'Glossary of terms used in physical organic chemistry (IUPAC Recommendations 2021)' on page 380 (https://doi.org/10.1515/pac-2018-1010)