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Correct Symmetry Treatment for X + X Reactions Prevents Large Errors in Predicted Isotope Enrichment
Mark Jacob Goldman1, Shuhei Ono2, William H Green1
1Department of Chemical Engineering , Massachusetts Institute of Technology , 77 Massachusetts Avenue , Cambridge , Massachusetts 02139 , United States.
Abstract:
Confusion over how to account for symmetry numbers when reactants are identical can cause significant errors in isotopic studies. An extraneous factor of 2 in the reaction symmetry number, as proposed in the literature, violates reaction equilibrium and causes huge enrichment errors in isotopic analysis. In actuality, no extra symmetry factor is needed with identical reactants.
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