Transition State

A transition state is a temporary, high-energy arrangement that molecules pass through during a chemical reaction. Think of it as the peak of an energy hill that reactants must climb before transforming into products. It represents the point of maximum energy along the reaction path, where bonds are in the process of breaking and forming. Understanding this state helps scientists predict how quickly reactions occur and how to control them. Essentially, it's a fleeting, critical moment that determines the reaction's progress from reactants to products.