Kinetic Control

Definition

Kinetic control refers to the control exerted by factors such as activation energy and reaction rate on the product distribution in a reaction. It determines which products are formed faster, regardless of their stability.

Related terms

Activation Energy:

The minimum amount of energy required for reactant molecules to undergo an effective collision and initiate a chemical reaction.

Rate-Determining Step:

The slowest step in a multi-step reaction that limits the overall rate of the reaction.

Transition State:

An intermediate state during a chemical reaction where old bonds are breaking and new bonds are forming. It has higher energy than both reactants and products.