Chemically induced dynamic slow relaxation

Decoherence in condensed phase typically slows down chemical reactions as has been exemplified by the non-radiative relaxation of solvated electrons [3,18,67]. In the case of an electron in water the difference in the rates of quantum decoherence induced in the electron subsystem by water and deuterated water explains the absence of a solvent isotope effect on the relaxation rate [18,67]. In rare instances, decoherence can enhance chemical reactivity. The SMF approach has been used to provide evidence for acceleration of a chemical reaction in a condensed phase due to the quantum anti-Zeno effect [55]. The mechanism indicates that the anti-Zeno effect involves both delocalization of the quantum dynamics and a feedback loop by coupling to the solvent. Believed to be the first example of the quantum anti-Zeno effect in chemistry, the observed phenomenon suggests the possibility of quantum control of chemical reactivity by choice of solvent. 

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