An aggregate of molecules, generally in the condensed phase, that surrounds the fragments formed, for example, by thermal or photochemical dissociation. Because the cage hinders the separation of the fragments by diffusion, they may preferentially react with one another ('cage effect') but not necessarily to reform the precursor species. For example:
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See: geminate recombination
Source:
PAC, 1994, 66, 1077. 'Glossary of terms used in physical organic chemistry (IUPAC Recommendations 1994)' on page 1091 (https://doi.org/10.1351/pac199466051077)