Some Applications of CTST

Understanding the various possible transition states

and their respective activation energies of a reaction
helps to predict how reaction will proceed.
 Useful in biochemical enzymatic studies
 TST is most useful in the field of biochemistry,
where it is often used to model reactions
catalyzed by enzymes in the body.
 Transition state theory generally gives pre-
exponentials of the correct order of magnitude.
 Some Applications of CTST
 TST is able to relate barriers to the saddle
point energy in the potential energy surface.

 TST is primarily to understand qualitatively

how chemical reactions take place.
 Some Applications of CTST

 It has been successful in calculating

the standard enthalpy of activation
(H O), the standard entropy of activation
( S O), and the standard Gibbs energy of
activation ( G O ) for a particular reaction if its
rate constant has been experimentally
determined.

 TST is also referred to as “activated complex theory”,

“absolute rate theory” and “theory of absolute reaction rates.