alleryStart learning →How easy is it to isolate or identify a transition state during a reaction?
AIt is routine in most laboratories
BIt is easy for gas phase reactions
CIt is impossible in most circumstances
DIt is easy whenever a catalyst is used
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: C. It is impossible in most circumstances
1. The activated complex is an unstable, very short lived arrangement.
2. In most circumstances it cannot be isolated or even identified.
3. For carbon monoxide reacting with oxygen, activated complexes have been seen only by spectroscopy and only with a heterogeneous catalyst present.
4. The plain gas phase reaction runs far too fast for any such species to be trapped.
_Source: OpenStax Chemistry (CC BY 4.0), Ch 12 "Kinetics", section 12.5 Collision Theory_
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