Impact of theoretical chemistry on elucidation of hot atom reaction mechanisms

The current impact of the various areas of theoretical chemistry is briefly examined with regard to the elucidation of hot atom reaction mechanisms. The particular relationship between theory and experiment and improved understanding of energy transfer and chemical kinetics is discussed from the point of view of the theorists with some emphasis on the experimental contributions to improving theoretical understanding and testing theoretical models. Applications of modern theory to hot atom chemistry are suggested. (author)