Chemically termolecular reactions: The fourth class of chemical reactions

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Chemically termolecular reactions: The fourth class of chemical reactions
Maisy Chase
Up until now only three classes of chemical reactions were known. Unimolecular reactions occur when one reactant undergoes bond breaking or forming to create different products. Bimolecular reactions are where two reactants collide and then undergo bond breaking or forming. Termolecular association reactions, where two reactants collide to form a whole with a new chemical bond between the two reactants. A third molecule, known as the bath gas, then removes some of the internal kinetic energy of that molecule to stabilize it.
Researchers from Columbia University, led by Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering Michael P. Burke, have discovered a fourth class of chemical reaction known as “chemically termolecular reactions.” This involves the breaking and bonding of three molecules. The team showed that these chemically termolecular reactions not only are major chemical pathways but also impact flame propagation speeds, a measure of overall fuel reactivity that governs the performance, stability, and efficiency of many modern engines. Dr. Burke combined quantum chemical calculations that showed the breaking and forming of bonds with surrounding molecules with kinetic transport calculations.
Dr. Burke states, “Our calculations are based on computational data produced from first principles: the Schrödinger equation, the fundamental equation of quantum mechanics...Combining these data with other physics-based models enables us to directly pinpoint the impact of just a single reaction out of many, in a way that is very difficult to do in the lab.”
Because chemical reactions were said to be unimportant, they weren’t studied much. Burke and his team had discovered something that could design new engines, understanding the planetary formation of clouds, climate change, even reactions that can change interaction extraterrestrial life. For example, space vehicles experience incredibly high temperatures and space debris when they journey back to Earth. This fourth class of reactions could impact the heat impact on the vehicle and with the help of thermal protection, bring the astronauts back safely.
https://www.msichicago.org/experiment/games/goreact/
https://www.khanacademy.org/science/biology/chemistry--of-life/chemical-bonds-and-reactions/v/chemical-reactions-introduction


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