Quantum transition state theory and solving a first order master equation for complex reactions numerically
Abstract
The field of chemical kinetics is an exciting and active field. The prevailing theories make a number of simplifying assumptions that do not always hold in actual cases. Another current problem concerns a development of efficient numerical algorithms for solving the master equations that arise in the description of complex reactions. The objective of the present work is to furnish a completely general and exact theory of reaction rates, in a form reminiscent of transition state theory, valid for all fluid phases and also to develop a computer program that can solve complex reactions by finding the concentrations of all participating substances as a function of time. To do so, the full quantum scattering theory is used for deriving the exact rate law, and then the resulting cumulative reaction probability is put into several equivalent forms that take into account all relativistic effects if applicable, including one that is strongly reminiscent of transition state theory, but includes corrections from scattering theory. Then two programs, one for solving complex reactions, the other for solving first order linear kinetic master equations to solve them, have been developed and tested for simple applications.
Subject Area
Physical chemistry
Recommended Citation
Jeanniton, Juan Roberto, "Quantum transition state theory and solving a first order master equation for complex reactions numerically" (2010). ProQuest ETD Collection for FIU. AAI3447449.
https://digitalcommons.fiu.edu/dissertations/AAI3447449