Description of electrolyte effects on the kinetics of reactions between ions in solution, using the mean spherical approximation

Abstract

The effect of an inert salt on the kinetics of solution reactions between ions is examined in the framework of the mean spherical approximation (MSA) theory. The latter is applied to describe activation- and diffusion-controlled reactions in moderately concentrated electrolyte solutions. The results are compared with those obtained using the Debye–Hückel theory, in particular beyond the limit of applicability of this model. It is shown that both theories may be applied to represent salt effects with nearly equal accuracy.