Reakciótérbe

Reakciótérbe is a term used in chemistry and related sciences to describe the abstract, multidimensional space in which chemical reactions take place. It encompasses the degrees of freedom of the reacting species and the energetic landscape that governs their transformation from reactants to products.

In theoretical and computational chemistry, the reakciótér is often represented by reaction coordinates and potential energy surfaces. The journey from reactants to products follows a path on this landscape, typically passing through a transition state, which is the highest energy point along the minimum-energy pathway. The shape of the energy surface and the location of the transition state determine reaction rates and, in many cases, selectivity.

The concept is applied to analyze reaction mechanisms in organic, inorganic, and biochemical contexts, including enzyme catalysis and heterogeneous catalysis in reactors. It helps researchers understand which pathways are feasible, how conformational changes influence outcomes, and how conditions such as temperature and solvent affect feasibility. Researchers probe the reakciótér using quantum chemistry calculations, molecular dynamics, and experimental kinetic data to identify plausible pathways and transition states and to estimate activation barriers and rate constants.

Etymologically, the term derives from the Hungarian words for “reaction” and “space.” In educational and some research settings, the term is used to discuss the spatial and energetic aspects of reactions in a concise, language-specific way. See also: potential energy surface, reaction coordinate, transition state theory, kinetics.