QUANTUM THEORY OF CHEMICAL REACTION RATE

In this paper we have analyzed the assumption of the theory of absolute reaction rate. Eyring has assumed that in the process of reaction, the reactants and the transitional complex are in chemical equilibrium. We have proved this assumption to be impossible to realize. Ignoring this assumption, we have derived the rate constant of microreaction from the time-dependent Schrdinger equation, and by assuming the reactants being in thermal equilibrium, we have derived the expression for the rate constant of macroreaction. The expression is similar to Eyring's. The main difference is that besides the activation energy, our expression depends on the transition matrix element. With this matrix element we have proved the principle of conservation of orbital symmetry in the process of reaction.