Which is the best description of Hammond postulate?a)In an exothermic ...
Hammond's postulate states that the transition state of a reaction resembles either the reactants or the products, to whichever it is closer in energy. In an exothermic reaction, the transition state is closer to the reactants than to the products in energy
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Which is the best description of Hammond postulate?a)In an exothermic ...
The best description of the Hammond postulate is option 'D': Related species that are similar in energy are also similar in structure.
Explanation:
The Hammond postulate, named after American chemist George S. Hammond, is a concept in organic chemistry that relates the energy and structure of reactants and products in a chemical reaction. It provides valuable insights into the relationship between the transition state and the reactants or products.
The postulate states that in a chemical reaction, the transition state (the highest energy point along the reaction coordinate) resembles either the reactants or the products, depending on the relative energy levels of the reactants and products.
Key Points:
1. Relationship between Energy and Structure: The Hammond postulate suggests that related species that have similar energy levels will also have similar structures. This means that if the transition state is closer in energy to the reactants, it will resemble the reactants, whereas if it is closer in energy to the products, it will resemble the products.
2. Energy Profile Diagram: An energy profile diagram is often used to illustrate the concept of the Hammond postulate. This diagram shows the energy changes that occur during a chemical reaction, with the reactants on the left, the products on the right, and the transition state in the middle.
3. Exothermic Reactions: In exothermic reactions, where energy is released, the transition state is closer in energy to the products. This means that the structure of the transition state will resemble the products more than the reactants. This is consistent with option 'A', but option 'D' is a more general statement that applies to both exothermic and endothermic reactions.
4. Endothermic Reactions: In endothermic reactions, where energy is absorbed, the transition state is closer in energy to the reactants. This means that the structure of the transition state will resemble the reactants more than the products.
In conclusion, the best description of the Hammond postulate is option 'D': Related species that are similar in energy are also similar in structure. This statement captures the essence of the postulate and applies to both exothermic and endothermic reactions.
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