Transition State Theory
Addresses the limitations of collision theory in explaining
chemical reactivity
Key principle: During the transformation of reactant into
product, one or more very short-lived chemical species
form that resemble (but are different from) reactant or product;
these transitional species contain partial bonds; they are called
transition states (TS) or activated complexes.
The activation energy is used to stretch/deform specific bonds
in the reactant(s) in order to reach the transition state.
Example reaction:
CH3Br + OH- CH3OH + Br-
What might the TS look like for this substitution reaction?
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