A right hyperbola, specific for each molecule, is used to convert vibrational frequencies from infrared spectra into numbers of electrons. This conversion greatly increases the information to be obtained from spectra and has led to the discovery of a third type of interaction of a gas with a solid surface, neither physical nor chemical adsorption. This discovery along with the Myers' Hypothesis that a synchronization of the vibrational frequencies of reactants would facilitate reaction has led to 14 publications in catalysis. Combining the hyperbolas, one from each reactant provides a quantitative interpretation of catalysis by specifying the catalytic metal, its numerical oxidation state, the mechanism of the reaction and the necessary structure of the catalyst, heterogeneous or homogeneous (enzyme). Ions that have low-lying electronic states, below 4000 cm(-1), in the Atomic Energy Levels (AELs) tables from NIST produce an electric field, which serves as a site for catalysis. The electric field at the catalyst affects the reactants as if electron density has been added or removed. For homogeneous or enzyme catalysis both reactants are altered the same way. In the case of heterogeneous catalysis both reactants may be altered the same way or one reactant may be altered as if it has gained and the other as if it has lost electron density. Reactants in non-catalyzed reactions are positive and negative ions generated by solution in ionic solvents or generated by increases in temperature. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.