What Role Does Hyperconjugation Play in Transition State Stabilization?
Transition states in catalytic reactions often involve the formation of partial charges or radical character. Hyperconjugation can help stabilize these transition states by delocalizing electron density. This stabilization is crucial for lowering the activation energy of the reaction, thereby increasing the rate of the reaction. For example, in the catalytic hydrogenation of alkenes, hyperconjugation can stabilize the π-complex formed between the alkene and the catalyst, facilitating the addition of hydrogen.
