Abstract
The review gives a general account of the results of numerous studies on the simplest atomic and radical reactions which are experimentally found to follow third-order kinetics. A large number of experimental results, arranged systematically in tables and graphs, are quoted and discussed. The principal characteristics of the properties of the reactions of this class (negative temperature dependence of the rate constant, different efficiencies of third bodies, relation between the efficiency and structure, etc.) are analysed. The possible interpretation of these processes on the basis of the simplest theoretical postulates – kinetic collision theory, theory of absolute reaction rates, and other equilibrium theories – are considered.
The bibliography includes 203 references.