Chemometric study of differential kinetic analysis by the method of proportional equations

Kinetic analysis by the method of proportional equations is widely used; this study provides the chemometric basis of some of the general knowledge in this field. Analytical expressions for optimum measurement time and minimum rate constant ratio as a function of the accepted error are derived. Both kinetic schemes, of monitoring the reactants and products, are considered and compared. It is shown that the selection of optimum time is critical only when rate constant ratio is close to unity, and quantitative criteria are provided.