Specific effects of neutral salts on the rate of ionic reactions in solution

• Main Author: Glasgow, P. M.
• Language: en
• Published: University of Canterbury. Chemistry 2013
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10092/8644

It has long been known that the rate of a chemical reaction involving ions in solution is a function of the total electrolyte concentration, even in systems where there is no displacement of equilibra. This primary salt effect operates whether the ions are present as reactants or purely as catalysts. Quantitative information about this effect cannot be obtained from every reaction, as the theoretical treatment, as well as the experimental method imposes certain limiting conditions. A suitable reaction must occur at a measurable rate with no complicating side reactions and back reactions, and without change in ionic strength. Moreover there must be a quick and accurate method of analysing the reacting mixture at intervals of time in order to determine the rate constant.