Visualization of the potential energy surfaces for a reacting system, as a function
of two chosen coordinates. It is particularly useful to discuss structural effects
on the
transition state geometry for processes occurring either by stepwise or concerted routes. The use
of such diagrams, first suggested for
elimination reactions, was later extended to acid–base
catalysis and to certain other reactions.
Source:
PAC, 1994, 66, 1077
(Glossary of terms used in physical organic chemistry (IUPAC Recommendations 1994))
on page 1143