Steric factor
Encyclopedia
Steric factor, P is a term used in collision theory.
It is defined as the ratio between the experimental value of the rate constant and the one predicted by collision theory. It can also be defined as the ratio between the preexponential factor and the collision frequency
, and it is most often less than unity. Physically, the steric factor can be interpreted as the ratio of the cross section
for reactive collisions to the total collision cross section.
Usually, the more complex the reactant molecule
s, the lower the steric factors. Nevertheless, some reactions exhibit steric factors greater than unity: the harpoon reaction
s, which involve atoms that exchange electrons, producing ions. The deviation from unity can have different causes: the molecules are not spherical, so different geometries are possible; not all the kinetic energy
is delivered into the right spot; the presence of a solvent
(when applied to solutions)...
When collision theory applied to reactions in solution the solvent cage has an effect on the reactant molecules, as several collisions can take place in a single encounter, which leads to predicted preexponential factors being too large. ρ values greater than unity can be attributed to favorable entropic contributions.
Usually there is no simple way to accurately estimate steric factors without performing trajectory or scattering calculations.
It is defined as the ratio between the experimental value of the rate constant and the one predicted by collision theory. It can also be defined as the ratio between the preexponential factor and the collision frequency
Collision frequency
Collision frequency is defined in chemical kinetics, in the background of theoretical kinetics, as the average number of collisions between reacting molecules per unit of time...
, and it is most often less than unity. Physically, the steric factor can be interpreted as the ratio of the cross section
Cross section (physics)
A cross section is the effective area which governs the probability of some scattering or absorption event. Together with particle density and path length, it can be used to predict the total scattering probability via the Beer-Lambert law....
for reactive collisions to the total collision cross section.
Usually, the more complex the reactant molecule
Molecule
A molecule is an electrically neutral group of at least two atoms held together by covalent chemical bonds. Molecules are distinguished from ions by their electrical charge...
s, the lower the steric factors. Nevertheless, some reactions exhibit steric factors greater than unity: the harpoon reaction
Harpoon reaction
Harpoon reactions are a type of chemical reaction between two substances one of them prone to form a cation, generally a metal, and the other one prone to form an anion, generally a halogen....
s, which involve atoms that exchange electrons, producing ions. The deviation from unity can have different causes: the molecules are not spherical, so different geometries are possible; not all the kinetic energy
Kinetic energy
The kinetic energy of an object is the energy which it possesses due to its motion.It is defined as the work needed to accelerate a body of a given mass from rest to its stated velocity. Having gained this energy during its acceleration, the body maintains this kinetic energy unless its speed changes...
is delivered into the right spot; the presence of a solvent
Solvent
A solvent is a liquid, solid, or gas that dissolves another solid, liquid, or gaseous solute, resulting in a solution that is soluble in a certain volume of solvent at a specified temperature...
(when applied to solutions)...
When collision theory applied to reactions in solution the solvent cage has an effect on the reactant molecules, as several collisions can take place in a single encounter, which leads to predicted preexponential factors being too large. ρ values greater than unity can be attributed to favorable entropic contributions.
Usually there is no simple way to accurately estimate steric factors without performing trajectory or scattering calculations.