I have written a book entitled "Molecular Reaction Dynamics" (Cambridge University Press, December 2004), which is a fully revised and updated version of the 1974 book that the late Dick Bernstein and I wrote. There are new chapters on photoselective processes, reactions in solution, reaction on surfaces, stereodynamics, and reaction dynamics in real time. Each chapter is followed by a collection of problems. See the table of contents below, where the new sections are highlighted in red.

As was the original intention, the present version seeks to describe why a particular experiment was carried out, what we have learned, what concepts are necessary to describe and understand the experiment and how do we move forward. The problems that follow each chapter provide additional applications and illustrations. A concept that is much more prominent in the present version of the book is coherence and we bring it in as soon as possible. Much recent progress came through the outstanding development of computational means. The increasing concern with more complex systems, up to the level of molecular machines, and also the ability to achieve a time resolution sufficient to probe the chemical act in real time are emphasized. Another aspect of visualization are the experimental images of the distribution of the products of the reaction in space. The book seeks to integrate our understanding of the isolated dynamical event with the more recent bold forays into dynamics in the condensed phase and interfaces.

For more information, including  excerpts from the book, please visit Cambridge University Press. Instructors  are invited to access the posted solutions to the problems.

Table of Contents


1. Understanding chemical reactions at the molecular level

1.1 What is molecular reaction dynamics?

1.2. An example: energy disposal in an exoergic chemical reaction

Problems, End Notes

2. Molecular collisions

2.1 Molecules have a finite size

            2.2 The approach motion of molecules

            Problems, End Notes

3. Introduction to the dynamics of reactive collisions

3.1 The rate and cross-section of chemical reactions

3.2 Two-body dynamics of reactive collisions

Problems, End Notes

4. Scattering as a probe of the collision dynamics

4.1 Classical scattering of structureless particles

            4.2  Elastic scattering as a probe of the interaction potential

4.3  Elements of quantal scattering theory

4.4  Angular distribution for reactive molecular collisions

Problems, End Notes

5. Polyatomic dynamics

5.1. Potential energy functions and chemical reactions

5.2. The classical trajectory approach to reaction dynamics

            5.3 Energy and dynamics of the chemical change

            Problems, End Notes

6. From structure to the rate of chemical reactions

            6.1. The rate of barrier crossing: Transition state theory

            6.2. RRKM theory and the rate of unimolecular reactions

6.3 Resolving final states and populations

            6.4. Characterization of energy disposal and energy requirements

of chemical reactions

          Problems, End Notes

7. Access to the transition state region: Photoselective chemistry

            7.1 Laser photoexcitation and photodetection                                                               

            7.2 Photodissociation dynamics

            7.3 Bimolecular spectroscopy

            7.4 Quantum control

          Problems, End Notes

8. Chemistry in real time

8.1 watching the breaking and making of chemical bonds

            8.2 Chemical transformations

            8.3 Control of chemical reactions

          Problems, End Notes

9. State changing collisions: Molecular energy transfer

            9.1 Vibrational Energy Transfer

            9.2 Understanding the Essentials of Energy Transfer

            9.3 Electronic Energy Transfer

            Problems, End Notes

10. Stereodynamics

10.1 Vector and vector correlations

            10.2 Polarization of collision products

            10.3 Stereodynamic control

            Problems, End Notes

11. Dynamics in the condensed phase

            11.1 Solvation

            11.2 Barrier crossing dynamics

11.3 Dynamics at interfaces

11.4 Understanding chemical reactivity in solution

Problems, End Notes

12. Dynamics of gas – surface reactions

            12.1 Scattering from surfaces

12.2 Dynamics on surfaces

            12.3 Chaos and Pattern Formation: Spatiotemporal aspects of surface reactivity

            Problems, End Notes

Bibliography