Analysis of Symmetry in Chemical Reactions.
Abstract
The authors investigated the effect of the symmetry of the electronic and nuclear motion in chemical reactions. The analysis focuses on concerted reactions which are defined to be describable by a single transition matrix. The transition matrix for rearrangement collisions is derived in a quasiadiabatic representation of electronic motion such that the electronic degrees of freedom of reactants and products can be defined separately. Three alternative forms are obtained for the transition matrix from which symmetry rules are derived. Five approximations are applied: Separate conservation of total electronic spin; Neglect of virtual electronic transitions; Born-Oppenheimer approximation; Fixed nuclear configuration (Franck-Condon-type approximation); Neglect of remaining effects of dynamics. The five approximations lead to an expression for the transition matrix from which Shuler's rules and the Woodward-Hoffman rules follow by application of the Wigner-Eckart theorem. The inapplicability of one or more of these approximations are discussed. Physical reasons are presented for the wide applicability of the Woodward-Hoffmann rules. It is suggested that the 'principle of maximum bonding' proposed by Woodward and Hoffmann is a useful rule, but not supported by theory and experiment as a principle. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 01, 1971
- Accession Number
- AD0723797
Entities
People
- John Ross
- Thomas F. George
Organizations
- Purdue University