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Abstract The proton occupies a special position as a promoter and mediator in chemical reactions occurring in solution. Many reactions in organic chemistry are catalysed by acids or bases; likewise, most enzymes contain active groups which promote acid‐base catalysis. To understand the reaction mechanisms involved, it is necessary to identify the elementary steps as well as their course in time. Systematic investigation of these elementary steps as well as their course in time. Systematic investigation of these elementary steps has become possible only with the development of new methods for studying very fast reactions. The present paper reviews the information obtained in this type of investigation. The result is a relatively complete picture of the elementary proton transfer mechanisms and a comprehensive description of the modes and laws of acid‐base and enzymatic catalysis.
Manfred Eigen (1964) studied this question.