The effect of the mixing process on reaction kinetics

Abstract

If the chemical rate constants of the initial reaction steps are large, any observed value of these constants may be affected by the mixing process. To investigate the effect of mixing efficiency on reaction kinetics we use two previously analyzed reaction systems, namely the glutamic aspartic aminotransferase system and the hemoglobin/O 2 system. A time constant k a for the mixing process is introduced and four values for this parameter are considered, with the fastest essentially corresponding to complete mixing before any reaction can take place. The remaining three values are associated with mixing instruments, since they may be attainable in the real world. To evaluate the mixing efficiency (and conversely determine underlying k a values) from observed kinetics, mixing was combined with chemical relaxation by temperature jumps initiated at different points in time during the mixing process. Computer simulations permit the development of specific criteria to determine (in reverse) appropriate values of k a . In this respect, the aminotransferase system proved to be more revealing than the hemoglobin system.