Viscosity high pressure chemical reactions

The important effect of increasing pressure on the kinetics of chemical reactions has been noted since the hrst chemical experiments at high pressure. The simplest expectation derives from the observation that in liquids the viscosity rapidly increases with pressure. As a result, in strongly compressed liquids, and hnally in glasses, diffusion-controlled processes can be retarded. In contrast, however, other reaction pathways can be substantially accelerated. In general, the evolution of a reaction at high pressure can be heavily controlled by kinetic aspects, and these deeply involve intermolecular effects. 

In addition to the important factors previously considered which influence sono-chemical reactions, a few others need to be considered as well. Among these are surface tension, viscosity, and solubility. The viscosity of a liquid increases as the pressure is increased or the temperature is decreased. Solvents with higher viscosity require higher amplitudes (or power) for cavitation to occur. In other words, cavitation becomes difficult to induce in high viscosity liquids. This is a situation that enhances the ultrasonic effect, and hence higher viscosities should normally lead to greater rate enhancements. 

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