RESTRICTED INTRAMOLECULAR ENERGY-FLOW IN LARGE MOLECULES - HETEROGENEOUS AND ENZYME CATALYSIS

The free intramolecular energy flow can be restricted by the presence of a heavy atom in the molecule. As a result of this restriction, adso rbed molecules bonded on the metal surface and/or substrate molecules in the enzyme-substrate complex with a metal atom near the binding sit e can have a higher vibrational energy than the surroundings. The reac tion rate is then enhanced bg this energy localization.