# Variational transition-state theory

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**Variational transition-state theory**[1] is a refinement of [transition-state theory](/source/Transition-state_theory). When using transition-state theory to estimate a chemical [reaction rate](/source/Reaction_rate), the dividing surface is taken to be a surface that intersects a first-order [saddle point](/source/Saddle_point) and is also perpendicular to the reaction coordinate in all other [dimensions](/source/Dimension). When using variational transition-state theory, the position of the dividing surface between [reactant](/source/Reagent) and [product](/source/Product_(chemistry)) regions is variationally optimized to minimize the reaction rate. This minimizes the effects of recrossing, and gives a much more accurate result.

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Truhlar1984_1-0)** Truhlar, D.; Garrett, B. (1984). ["Variational Transition State Theory"](https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc1209228/). *Annu. Rev. Phys. Chem*. **35**: 159–189. [Bibcode](/source/Bibcode_(identifier)):[1984ARPC...35..159T](https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/1984ARPC...35..159T). [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1146/annurev.pc.35.100184.001111](https://doi.org/10.1146%2Fannurev.pc.35.100184.001111).

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