Definition of Transition State

[Jonathan Christie 1I]

What is the best definition of a transition state? Is it just the peak of the activation energy curve?

[Albert_Luu3K]

The transition state of a chemical reaction is a particular, short lived configuration of the reacting atoms along the reaction coordinate. It is defined as the state corresponding to the highest potential energy along this reaction coordinate.

[Katelynn Shaheen 2C]

Transition state is the highest energy structure along the reaction coordinate between reactants and products for every step of a reaction mechanism.

[Katelynn Shaheen 2C]

Transition state is the highest energy structure along the reaction coordinate between reactants and products for every step of a reaction mechanism.

[Fiona Huang 3C]

Adding on to what was said above, it is at a local energy maximum. Transition state has partial bonds and is highly unstable.

[Kelly Yun 2I]

Yes, and the reason why it is the peak of the curve is because it has the highest potential energy at that point, where the activated complex is present.

[Esmeralda_Solis_2D]

A transition state cannot be alone. It's simply a transition between the starting materials and products. It's just a point on the road to transforming one material into the next.

[Miracle Ogbonnaya 3B]

Yes, and to add on to that a transition state is the phase where the physical form is changing. It is where the P.E. is the highest and where the bonds of the structure are most unstable.