Consider the reaction between substances A+ and B+, both positively charged. According to...

Consider the reaction between substances A+ and B+, both positively charged. According to transition-state theory, A+ and B+ collide to form a transition-state complex which decomposes to product:

The electrostatic contribution to the free energy of acti vation ∆G‡ in a solvent of dielectric constant εr and in extremely dilute solution so that the ionic strength is essentially zero can be estimated by Coulomb’s Law: E = q1q2/4πε0εrr in the transition-state complex. The charge centers of A+ and B+ are r‡ apart, as indicated above.

a. On the basis of electrostatic considerations, would you expect this reaction to be more rapid in a solvent of high or low dielectric constant? Explain briefly.

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b. Suggest an experimental approach that would allow determination of the electrostatic contribution to the free energy of activation.