Path orthogonal to the equipotential contours of a potential energy surface that
connects the energy minima through a
saddle point (
transition state) from which
it slopes downwards along the steepest descending lines in
3
N - 6
configurational space
(
N is the number of nuclei in the reacting system).
Note:
MERP calculation allows the investigation of detailed changes
in molecular structure describing the
transformation of reactants to products.
Source:
PAC, 2007, 79, 293
(Glossary of terms used in photochemistry, 3rd edition (IUPAC Recommendations 2006))
on page 370