The Quantum Theory of Unimolecular Reactions

In this book, Professor Pritchard presents a treatment that dissects the unimolecular reaction process into a sequence of distinct phases.

H. O. Pritchard (Author)

9780521105866, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 4 June 2009

192 pages
22.9 x 15.2 x 1.1 cm, 0.29 kg

When this book was first published in 1984, the discovery of laser-induced mutliphoton chemical reactions had led to a resurgence of interest in the theory of unimolecular reactions. Attempts to explain these phenomena had been built on a very imperfectly understood theory of thermal unimolecular reactions. In this book, Professor Pritchard presents a treatment that dissects the unimolecular reaction process into a sequence of distinct phases, so that the assumptions of the theory can be clearly seen, and confusion over the theory avoided. As such it provides a self-consistent foundation upon which to begin to treat these phenomena. Postgraduate students and research workers in physical chemistry will find this an invaluable textbook on a topic that has suddenly become of primary importance.

1. The observed properties of thermal unimolecular reactions
2. The master equation for internal relaxation in molecules
3. Reaction as a perturbation of the internal relaxtion
4. The specific rate function k(E) as an inverse Laplace transform
5. Unimolecular fall-off in strong collision systems
6. A molecular dynamic approach to specific rate functions
7. Building in the randomisation processes
8. Weak collision processes
9. How well does it all work?
Appendix.

Subject Areas: Physical chemistry [PNR]