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The principle of microscopic reversibility in organic chemistry - a critique

The principle of microscopic reversibility in organic chemistry - a critique ConclusionThe principle of microscopic reversibility is one of the few generalising principles used in organic chemistry which have their roots in the fundamental laws of thermodynamics. It has, therefore, been highly popular.However, although the principle has some important uses, its general application is not without pitfalls. The principle is easy to misunderstand and to misapply: indeed, some of its formulations are semantically dubious. The principle is most dangerous when used as a charm, for it is more subtle than some of its formulations suggest.But above all, the principle may not be used for deducing or disproving the mechanism of a reaction, except when the mechanism in the reverse direction is known independently. For, such use is, perhaps, the deadliest misapplication. http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png Research on Chemical Intermediates Springer Journals

The principle of microscopic reversibility in organic chemistry - a critique

Research on Chemical Intermediates , Volume 17 (2) – Jun 1, 1992

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References (23)

Publisher
Springer Journals
Copyright
Copyright © Springer 1992
ISSN
0922-6168
eISSN
1568-5675
DOI
10.1163/156856792x00128
Publisher site
See Article on Publisher Site

Abstract

ConclusionThe principle of microscopic reversibility is one of the few generalising principles used in organic chemistry which have their roots in the fundamental laws of thermodynamics. It has, therefore, been highly popular.However, although the principle has some important uses, its general application is not without pitfalls. The principle is easy to misunderstand and to misapply: indeed, some of its formulations are semantically dubious. The principle is most dangerous when used as a charm, for it is more subtle than some of its formulations suggest.But above all, the principle may not be used for deducing or disproving the mechanism of a reaction, except when the mechanism in the reverse direction is known independently. For, such use is, perhaps, the deadliest misapplication.

Journal

Research on Chemical IntermediatesSpringer Journals

Published: Jun 1, 1992

Keywords: Transition State; Reverse Reaction; Energy Profile; Forward Reaction; Aldol Reaction

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