Solvent isotope effect

{
  "id": "MLC-T-CHM-011025",
  "term": "Solvent isotope effect",
  "field": "Chemistry",
  "definition": "The change in the rate or equilibrium constant of a chemical reaction when a solvent containing normal isotopes is replaced by one containing heavier isotopes. This effect arises from differences in zero-point energies and vibrational frequencies between isotopic solvent molecules and their interactions with reactants and transition states. It is quantified as the ratio of the rate or equilibrium constant in the light solvent to that in the heavy solvent.",
  "subject": "Organic and Biomolecular Chemistry",
  "see_also": [
    "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)"
  ],
  "url": "https://mlchart.com/terminology/chemistry/solvent-isotope-effect/"
}