A kinetic isotope effect attributable to isotopic substitution of an atom to which a bond is made or broken in the rate-controlling step or in a pre-equilibrium step of a specified reaction. The corresponding isotope effect on the equilibrium constant of a reaction in which one or more bonds to isotopic atoms are broken, is called a 'primary equilibrium isotope effect'.
See also: secondary isotope effect
Source:
PAC, 1994, 66, 1077. 'Glossary of terms used in physical organic chemistry (IUPAC Recommendations 1994)' on page 1130 (https://doi.org/10.1351/pac199466051077)