BRAINCAKESteric Hindrance
Collision theory says that particles must collide with the correct orientation to react. For small particles this is fairly easy, but in larger organic molecules the reacting part may be partly hidden.
Steric hindrance is the slowing of a reaction because bulky groups of atoms around the reactive site physically get in the way of an approaching particle.
The bulky groups are usually alkyl groups, such as methyl (-CH3) or larger. They take up space and block some of the directions from which an attacking particle could reach the reactive atom.
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More in Reaction Rates
- The Rate of Reaction
- Collision Theory
- Activation Energy
- Effect of Concentration
- Effect of Pressure
- Effect of Surface Area
- Maxwell-Boltzmann Distribution Curve
- Effect of Temperature
All 12 lessons in Reaction Rates · All Edexcel AS-level Chemistry topics