Experimental evidence of chaotic states in the Belousov–Zhabotinskii reaction

Experimental results are reported which show strong evidence that the Belousov–Zhabotinskii reaction proceeds in an intrinsic chaotic (sustained time-dependent, nonperiodic) manner over a range of residence times in a continuous-flow stirred reactor. Outside of that range the experimental states reach a sustained periodic condition in some cases and a stable steady nonperiodic condition in others. A suggested theoretical basis for the observed behavior is discussed.