2 years, 7 months ago
WHY REACTIONS HAVE BARRIERS?
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M$1 Answer
Usually, reactions have barriers because: a) closed shell orbitals repel b) steric strains to reach TS c) most reactions except ion-molecule and radical recombination have some barrier since molecule has to rearrange to reach TS. Many catalysts have a vacant orbital that can accept an electron or electron pair, dramatically lowering barriers, completely changing reaction path: Transition Metals, Lewis acids, Free Radicals. Many catalysts are charged: acids, bases, metal ions, oxides.
Some catalysts provide a path that avoids steric strain, e.g. H2O can pass protons around.
Some catalysts provide a path that avoids steric strain, e.g. H2O can pass protons around.
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M$
I voted NBA for all the obvious reasons.
me too.