Nitric N2O5 decomposition

When rate constants are equal in the gas phase and solution, this implies (y y- l = 1- For unimolecular reactions where this is true, such as the decomposition of N2O5, this is due to the structures of the activated complexes being similar in the two media. However, in the closely related case of decomposition of nitric acid, the reaction rate is significantly lower in solution than in the gas phase, probably as a result of complexation between the reactant and solvent. 

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