Chemical Kinetics – Fundamentals

This chapter presents the basics of chemical kinetics, namely the rate of chemical reactions, rate laws, the order of reaction and also the molecularity. It gives an explanation of the rate of a reaction being dependent upon concentration, temperature and the nature of the reactants. Chapter gives a detailed discussion on the integrated rate equations of zero-, first-, and second-order reaction so that one can determine the concentration of the reactants as time progresses and can predict when the reaction will be completed. Molecularity and reaction mechanisms are brought to the fore so as to get to know the stepwise series of chemical transformations. An example Industrial relevance is emphasized with regards to manufacture of chemicals, polymerization, pharmaceutical synthesis, and catalytic processes, industrial reaction kinetics are important in design of processes, optimization of reactors, and increased yield. Combining theory and practice, the chapter provides the students with skills to study the behavior of reactions, make predictions and optimize the conditions of a reaction at both industrial and laboratory scales. Learning chemical kinetics can enable one to use process engineering, optimization of reactions, and sustainable chemical production, which is why it is an essential field of study among undergraduate and postgraduate chemistry students.