Nonuniqueness of solution of reverse problem of chemical kinetics for first-order reactions

The question of nonuniqueness of the solution of the reverse problem of chemical kinetics has been investigated. The subject of investigation is the situation in which some of the substances participating in the reaction are not accessible for measurement (intermediate substances). The investigation was performed on models of first-order reactions, using Laplace transforms. Direct mathematical formulas have been derived, through which an answer can be obtained to the question of how many independent functional combinations of constants, and which combinations, and will specifically admit an unambiguous evaluation on the basis of kinetic information on the initial reactants and the reaction products. The reaction of ethylene chlorination is examined as an illustrative example.