Yes, there is an alchemy recipe for a 'catalyst'
Is that catalyst the C-Remover? It can't be since it requires a true hydra to craft it. Is the catalyst recipe found in the magic chest or painted chest? Is it related to the second set of numbers you found for the cabin library? How would someone go about painting the chest in the first place? Never mind about the painting I figured it out. Every recipe I currently have written down aside from the C-Remover needs Frost Caps but I'm seeming stuck in a loop of needing to solve the hydras to get to the Frost Caps and needing the Frost Caps to solve the hydras. The Malice cure needs Frost Caps. The walk through matter potion needs Frost Caps. The only recipe I can actually get the resources to craft that could possibly be called a catalyst would be the suppressant but I don't think that's it.