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Chemistry · L5 · Why a C–D Bond Needs More Energy to Break Than a C–H Bond

Zero-point energy comparison: C-H and C-D share essentially the same bond dissociation curve, but the heavier deuterium vibrates more slowly and sits at a lower zero-point energy, leaving a bigger energy gap to climb before the C-D bond breaks.

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Same electronic bonding potential(dissociation curve) for C-H and C-DC-H bond: light H nucleusvibrates FAST, HIGHER zero-point energyC-D bond: heavy D nucleusvibrates SLOWER, LOWER zero-point energyGap from ZPE up to thedissociation limit: SMALLERGap from ZPE up to thedissociation limit: LARGERLess energy needed:C-H bond breaks more easilyMore energy needed:C-D bond breaks more slowly(the kinetic isotope effect)

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