Hyperbolic Reaction Curves with Concentration‐Independent Relaxation Times

Hyperbolic reaction curves with concentration‐independent relaxation times are obtained from the simple reaction scheme A⇌I + P; A + I → P. While a mathematically perfect hyperbola is only obtained, if two of the three rate constants are accidentally degenerate, the same function can still be used as a very close approximation in the general case, and the differences may go unnoticed even for well‐defined stopped‐flow experiments. In view of the simplicity of the reaction, it is suggested that reaction curves with second‐order (hyperbolic) shapes, but concentration‐independent relaxation times may be a common feature in chemical kinetics.