The Problems of the Selectivity of Chemical Reactions

The review discusses the problem of the selectivity of chemical processes of different classes. Mathematical expressions are given for the selectivity of reactions of simple types and for radical-chain processes and a relation is demonstrated between the selectivity and the kinetic parameters of the reaction. Factors controlling the selectivity by influencing the mechanism of the process and its kinetics are considered – chemical and physical factors (catalysing, inhibiting, and complex-forming additives, factors associated with control of the reaction by carrying it out at low temperatures, by employing laser radiation and magnetic and electric fields, etc.).
Data on reaction selectivity and ways of improving it are considered in relation to specific examples of oxidation, polymerisation, cracking, and halogenation reactions involving organic substances.
The bibliography includes 102 references.