Kinetically vs Thermodynamically Favorable [ENDORSED]

[204177206]

Why are reactions at low temperatures kinetically favorable? Doesn't the rate constant increase at higher temperatures?

[Chem_Mod]

Yes the rate constant goes up at higher temperatures, but this is for both kinetically favored and thermodynamically favored products. An increase in temperature thus will lead to a increase in the thermodynamically favored reaction and its products because these thermodynamic products are more stable than the kinetically favored products, and thus at higher temperatures are more likely to form.

At lower temperatures, the kinetic reaction is favored because the thermodynamically favored products are hindered in their formation (inadequate activation energy). Kinetic reactions also have a time factor, and are the first products to form. If you let the reaction to proceed to equilibrium, thats where the thermodynamic control will come in to play.