Hammond postulate

Definition

The Hammond postulate suggests that the transition state of a chemical reaction resembles the structure and energy of the nearest stable species, whether reactants or products. It is particularly useful in understanding the reactivity of alkenes in organic chemistry by predicting the outcome of reactions and their mechanisms.

Related terms

Transition State:

The highest energy state during a chemical reaction, where bonds are breaking and forming but have not yet completed either process.

Activation Energy:

The minimum amount of energy required for reactants to transform into products in a chemical reaction.

Reactivity:

A measure of how readily a substance undergoes a chemical change with other substances