Unimolecular elementary step

Definition

A unimolecular elementary step is a chemical reaction that involves the conversion of one reactant molecule into products. It occurs through the collision of a single molecule and does not require the involvement of any other reactant.

Related terms

Bimolecular elementary step: A bimolecular elementary step involves two reactant molecules colliding with each other to form products.

Termolecular elementary step: A termolecular elementary step involves three reactant molecules coming together simultaneously for a reaction to occur.

Rate-determining step: The rate-determining step refers to the slowest step in a reaction mechanism that determines the overall rate of the reaction.