A thermodynamically favored reaction is a chemical reaction that occurs spontaneously, meaning it releases energy and moves towards a more stable state.
The factors that determine if a reaction is thermodynamically favored include the change in enthalpy (ΔH), change in entropy (ΔS), and temperature (T). A reaction is thermodynamically favored when ΔH is negative, ΔS is positive, and/or T is high.
Thermodynamically favored reactions are spontaneous and occur without any external influence, while kinetically favored reactions require an external energy source to occur at a reasonable rate. In other words, thermodynamically favored reactions are energetically favorable, while kinetically favored reactions are kinetically favorable.
Yes, a reaction can be thermodynamically favored but not occur if the activation energy required to overcome the energy barrier is too high. In this case, the reaction will be kinetically hindered and may require a catalyst to occur at a reasonable rate.
Chemists use thermodynamically favored reactions in practical applications to produce desired products in a more efficient and cost-effective manner. They also use thermodynamic principles to predict the feasibility of reactions and design new reactions with higher yields and lower energy requirements.