Reaction coordinate

{
  "id": "MLC-T-CHM-009964",
  "term": "Reaction coordinate",
  "field": "Chemistry",
  "definition": "A generalized geometric parameter that describes the progress of a chemical reaction from reactants to products. It represents the collective movement of atoms during the transformation, often corresponding to bond lengths or angles. The reaction coordinate is used to plot potential energy surfaces and identify transition states.",
  "subject": "Physical and Biophysical Chemistry",
  "see_also": [
    "angle",
    "bond length",
    "bond order",
    "elementary reaction",
    "gradient",
    "minimum-energy reaction path",
    "molecular entity",
    "potential-energy profile",
    "potential-energy surface",
    "reaction step",
    "transition coordinate",
    "transition state",
    "transition state theory"
  ],
  "references": [
    "PAC, 1994, 66, 1077. 'Glossary of terms used in physical organic chemistry (IUPAC Recommendations 1994)' on page 1158 (https://doi.org/10.1351/pac199466051077)",
    "PAC, 1996, 68, 149. 'A glossary of terms used in chemical kinetics, including reaction dynamics (IUPAC Recommendations 1996)' on page 183 (https://doi.org/10.1351/pac199668010149)"
  ],
  "url": "https://mlchart.com/terminology/chemistry/reaction-coordinate/"
}