This book deals with a central topic at the interface of chemistry and physics - the understanding of how the transformation of matter takes place at the atomic level. Building on the laws of physics, the book focuses on the theoretical framework for predicting the outcome of chemical reactions. The style is highly systematic with attention to basic concepts and clarity of presentation. Molecular reaction dynamics is about the detailed atomic-level description of chemical reactions. Based on quantum mechanics and statistical mechanics or, as an approximation, classical mechanics, the dynamics of uni- and bi-molecular elementary reactions are described. The book features a detailed presentation of transition-state theory which plays an important role in practice, and a comprehensive discussion of basic theories of reaction dynamics in condensed phases. Examples and end-of-chapter problems are included in order to illustrate the theory and its connection to chemical problems.

Proceedings of the NATO Advanced Research Workshop, held in Balatonföldvár, Hungary, 8-12 June 2003

Molecular reaction dynamics is the study of chemical and physical transformations of matter at the molecular level. The understanding of how chemical reactions occur and how to control them is fundamental to chemists and interdisciplinary areas such as materials and nanoscience, rational drug design, environmental and astrochemistry. This book provides a thorough foundation to this area. The first half is introductory, detailing experimental techniques for initiating and probing reaction dynamics and the essential insights that have been gained. The second part explores key areas including photoselective chemistry, stereochemistry, chemical reactions in real time and chemical reaction dynamics in solutions and interfaces. Typical of the new challenges are molecular machines, enzyme action and molecular control. With problem sets included, this book is suitable for advanced undergraduate and graduate students, as well as being supplementary to chemical kinetics, physical chemistry, biophysics and materials science courses, and as a primer for practising scientists.

Chemical Kinetics and Reaction Dynamics brings together the major facts and theories relating to the rates with which chemical reactions occur from both the macroscopic and microscopic point of view. This book helps the reader achieve a thorough understanding of the principles of chemical kinetics and includes: Detailed stereochemical discussions of reaction steps Classical theory based calculations of state-to-state rate constants A collection of matters on kinetics of various special reactions such as micellar catalysis, phase transfer catalysis, inhibition processes, oscillatory reactions, solid-state reactions, and polymerization reactions at a single source. The growth of the chemical industry greatly depends on the application of chemical kinetics, catalysts and catalytic processes. This volume is therefore an invaluable resource for all academics, industrial researchers and students interested in kinetics, molecular reaction dynamics, and the mechanisms of chemical reactions.

DIVThis text teaches the principles underlying modern chemical kinetics in a clear, direct fashion, using several examples to enhance basic understanding. Solutions to selected problems. 2001 edition. /div

Annotation Provides a detailed picture of the current status of advanced experimental and theoretical research in chemical reaction dynamics. Topics include the Doppler-selected time-of-flight technique, multimass ion imaging, and photodissociation dynamics of free radicals.

Since the discovery of quantum mechanics,more than fifty years ago,the theory of chemical reactivity has taken the first steps of its development. The knowledge of the electronic structure and the properties of atoms and molecules is the basis for an un derstanding of their interactions in the elementary act of any chemical process. The increasing information in this field during the last decades has stimulated the elaboration of the methods for evaluating the potential energy of the reacting systems as well as the creation of new methods for calculation of reaction probabili ties (or cross sections) and rate constants. An exact solution to these fundamental problems of theoretical chemistry based on quan tum mechanics and statistical physics, however, is still impossible even for the simplest chemical reactions. Therefore,different ap proximations have to be used in order to simplify one or the other side of the problem. At present, the basic approach in the theory of chemical reactivity consists in separating the motions of electrons and nu clei by making use of the Born-Oppenheimer adiabatic approximation to obtain electronic energy as an effective potential for nuclear motion. If the potential energy surface is known, one can calculate, in principle, the reaction probability for any given initial state of the system. The reaction rate is then obtained as an average of the reaction probabilities over all possible initial states of the reacting ~artic1es. In the different stages of this calculational scheme additional approximations are usually introduced.

Covers both molecular and reaction dynamics. The work presents important theroetical and computational approaches to the study of energy transfer within and between molecules, discussing the application of these approaches to problems of experimental interest. It also describes time-dependent and time-independent methods, variational and perturbative techniques, iterative and direct approaches, and methods based upon the use of physical grids of finite sets of basic function.

Reaction Rate Theory and Rare Events bridges the historical gap between these subjects because the increasingly multidisciplinary nature of scientific research often requires an understanding of both reaction rate theory and the theory of other rare events. The book discusses collision theory, transition state theory, RRKM theory, catalysis, diffusion limited kinetics, mean first passage times, Kramers theory, Grote-Hynes theory, transition path theory, non-adiabatic reactions, electron transfer, and topics from reaction network analysis. It is an essential reference for students, professors and scientists who use reaction rate theory or the theory of rare events. In addition, the book discusses transition state search algorithms, tunneling corrections, transmission coefficients, microkinetic models, kinetic Monte Carlo, transition path sampling, and importance sampling methods. The unified treatment in this book explains why chemical reactions and other rare events, while having many common theoretical foundations, often require very different computational modeling strategies. - Offers an integrated approach to all simulation theories and reaction network analysis, a unique approach not found elsewhere - Gives algorithms in pseudocode for using molecular simulation and computational chemistry methods in studies of rare events - Uses graphics and explicit examples to explain concepts - Includes problem sets developed and tested in a course range from pen-and-paper theoretical problems, to computational exercises

The focus of this excellent textbook is the topic of molecular reaction dynamics. The chapters are all written by internationally recognised researchers and, from the outset, the contributors are writing with the young scientist in mind. The easy to use, stand-alone, chapters make it of value to students, teachers, and researchers alike. Subjects covered range from the more traditional topics, such as potential energy surfaces, to more advanced and rapidly developing areas, such as femtochemistry and coherent control. The coverage of reaction dynamics is very broad, so many students studying chemical physics will find elements of this text interesting and useful. Tutorials in Molecular Reaction Dynamics includes extensive references to more advanced texts and research papers, and a series of 'Study Boxes' help readers grapple with the more difficult concepts. Each chapter is thoroughly cross-referenced, helping the reader to link concepts from different branches of the subject. Worked problems are included, and each chapter concludes with a selection of problems designed to test understanding of the subjects covered. Supplementary reading material, and worked solutions to the problems, are contained on a secure website.