Molecular Reaction Dynamics

Describes fundamental theory, experimental techniques and developing research in chemical reaction dynamics.

Raphael D. Levine (Author)

9780521140713, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 4 June 2009

570 pages, 3 b/w illus. 125 exercises
24.5 x 18.8 x 2.7 cm, 1.21 kg

'Extremely well written, the definitive work in the field, and it provides a wonderful overview of current understanding of how chemical reactions occur, including insights into what still remains to be done. Essential.' CHOICE

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.

1. Understanding chemical reactions at the molecular level
2. Molecular collisions
3. Introduction to reactive molecular collisions
4. Scattering as a probe of collision dynamics
5. Introduction to polyatomic dynamics
6. Structural considerations in the calculation of reaction rates
7. Photoselective chemistry: access to the transition state region
8. Chemistry in real time
9. State-changing collisions: molecular energy transfer
10. Stereodynamics
11. Dynamics in the condensed phase
12. Dynamics of gas-surface interactions and reactions.

Subject Areas: Materials science [TGM], Mechanical engineering & materials [TG], Physical chemistry [PNR], Chemistry [PN]