What is the rate determining step?

The rate determining step, also known as the rate-limiting step, is a concept in chemical kinetics that refers to the slowest step in a reaction mechanism that determines the overall rate of the reaction. In other words, the rate determining step is the step that controls the speed at which the reaction occurs.

The rate determining step is often the step that involves the highest activation energy barrier, as it requires the most energy for the reaction to proceed. This step sets the pace for the entire reaction and dictates how fast the reaction will occur.

Identifying the rate determining step is important in understanding the kinetics of a reaction and designing strategies to control or optimize the reaction rate. By studying the rate determining step, chemists can identify ways to speed up or slow down a reaction, alter reaction conditions to improve efficiency, or design new catalysts to enhance the reaction rate.