The Absolute Rate of Reactions in Condensed Phases

Abstract

The theory of absolute reaction rates is developed for condensed phases. The equation for the rate of a reaction of any order in any phase where the slow process is the passage over an energy barrier consists of the product of a transmission coefficient κ, a frequency kT/h, an equilibrium constant between an activated complex and the reactants and an activity coefficient factor. Previous theories of reaction rates such as Brönsted's, the collision theory of Mc C. Lewis, etc., are seen to be special cases of the general theory. A variety of examples are considered.