Isotope effect

{
  "id": "MLC-T-CHM-006233",
  "term": "Isotope effect",
  "field": "Chemistry",
  "definition": "A difference in the rate or equilibrium constant of a chemical reaction when one or more atoms in the reactants are replaced by their isotopes. This effect arises from the mass difference between isotopes, which influences vibrational frequencies and zero-point energies. Isotope effects are used to elucidate reaction mechanisms and transition state structures.",
  "subject": "Physical and Biophysical Chemistry",
  "see_also": [
    "equilibrium constant",
    "kinetic isotope effect",
    "thermodynamic isotope effect"
  ],
  "references": [
    "PAC, 1994, 66, 1077. 'Glossary of terms used in physical organic chemistry (IUPAC Recommendations 1994)' on page 1130 (https://doi.org/10.1351/pac199466051077)",
    "PAC, 1994, 66, 2513. 'Nomenclature for radioanalytical chemistry (IUPAC Recommendations 1994)' on page 2521 (https://doi.org/10.1351/pac199466122513)"
  ],
  "url": "https://mlchart.com/terminology/chemistry/isotope-effect/"
}