THESAURUS
catalyst
agent, agent provocateur, agitator, agitprop, alterant, alterative, alterer, author, begetter, beginner, catalysis, catalytic agent, causer, creator, decay, demagogue, dialysis, dissociation, effector, engenderer, exciter, father, ferment, firebrand, fission, fomenter, generator, goad, hydrolysis, hydrolyst, impetus, impulse, incendiary, incentive, incitation, incitement, inciter, inflamer, innovationist, innovator, inspirer, instigator, introducer, leaven, maker, mischief-maker, modificator, modifier, mother, motivation, mover, originator, parent, photolysis, precursor, prime mover, primum mobile, producer, provocateur, provoker, rabble-rouser, ringleader, rouser, seditionary, seditionist, sire, splitting, spur, stimulant, thermolysis, transformer, transmogrifier, troublemaker, urger, yeast