catalyst
cat.a.lyst \'kat-*l-*st\ n 1: a substance or agent inducing catalysis 2: a substance that initiates a chemical reaction and enables it to proceed under milder conditions than otherwise possible
 Webster's English Dictionary
 Webster's English Dictionarycat.a.lyst \'kat-*l-*st\ n 1: a substance or agent inducing catalysis 2: a substance that initiates a chemical reaction and enables it to proceed under milder conditions than otherwise possible