Unstable

{
  "id": "MLC-T-CHM-012455",
  "term": "Unstable",
  "field": "Chemistry",
  "definition": "Describing a chemical species that possesses a higher molar Gibbs energy compared to a specific reference species. An unstable species will spontaneously transform into a more thermodynamically stable state, although this transformation may be slow if there is a high activation barrier. The term is distinct from 'reactive', which is a kinetic term describing the rate of reaction.",
  "subject": "Organic and Biomolecular Chemistry",
  "see_also": [
    "chemical species",
    "decomposition",
    "reactive",
    "stable",
    "transient species",
    "transition state",
    "molecularity"
  ],
  "references": [
    "PAC, 1994, 66, 1077. 'Glossary of terms used in physical organic chemistry (IUPAC Recommendations 1994)' on page 1175 (https://doi.org/10.1351/pac199466051077)"
  ],
  "url": "https://mlchart.com/terminology/chemistry/unstable/"
}