transition states

Transition states are temporary structures that occur during a chemical reaction when reactants are being transformed into products. They represent the highest energy point along the reaction pathway, where bonds are being broken and formed. At this stage, the molecules are neither fully reactants nor products but sit in a sort of 'limbo.' Understanding transition states helps scientists improve and predict reaction outcomes, making them crucial in fields like chemistry and biochemistry, where they influence the speed and efficiency of reactions.