Kinetic control

Definition

Kinetic control in organic chemistry refers to reaction conditions under which the product distribution is determined by the rate at which products are formed, favoring the formation of products that are formed fastest. These conditions often lead to products that are not necessarily the most stable but are reached more quickly due to lower activation energies.

Related terms

Thermodynamic Control:

A scenario where reaction conditions favor the formation of products based on their stability, regardless of how long they take to form.

Activation Energy:

The minimum amount of energy required for a chemical reaction to proceed, influencing how fast a product can be formed.

Reaction Rate: The speed at which reactants are converted into products in a chemical reaction, directly impacting which products dominate under kinetic control