Elucidation of inorganic reaction mechanisms: Application of high pressure

The application of high pressure techniques in mechanistic studies of inorg anic reactions in solution, can contribute towards the elucidation of the u nderlying reaction mechanism. The fundamental principles involved, the gene ral instrumentation employed, the construction of volume profiles and their mechanistic interpretation, are discussed. Typical examples covering vario us types of reactions in inorganic, organometallic and bioinorganic systems , that occur on a range of different time scales, are presented. The advant age of pressure as a physical variable and mechanistic indicator is conside red and an evaluation of the mechanistic insight gained is given.