encounter complex
A
complex
of
molecular entities
produced at an
encounter-controlled rate
, and which occurs as an intermediate in a
reaction mechanism
. When the complex is formed from two molecular entities it is called an '
encounter pair
'. A distinction between
encounter
pairs and (larger)
encounter
complexes may be relevant in some cases, e.g. for mechanisms involving
pre-association
.
Source:
PAC, 1994,
66
, 1077
(Glossary of terms used in physical organic chemistry (IUPAC Recommendations 1994))
on page 1112
See also:
PAC, 1996,
68
, 2223
(Glossary of terms used in photochemistry (IUPAC Recommendations 1996))
on page 2239