Fundamental change in the nature of chemical bonding upon isotopic substitution
Tuesday, October 28, 2014 - 09:30
in Physics & Chemistry
Isotopes are atoms of the same element that have the same number of protons but a different number of neutrons. Because of the resulting differences in mass ratios, isotope effects can significantly influence the formation and breaking of chemical bonds in the course of chemical reactions. In extreme cases, isotopic substitution can even cause a fundamental change in the type of chemical bond, as reported by scientists in the journal Angewandte Chemie.