Theory 07/Molecular/Crystallisation
Polymorphs Race Nucleation Against Growth
The claim
The polymorph that forms is set by the ratio of nucleation rate to growth rate of competitors, so a slower-growing but faster-nucleating form wins.
01Mechanism
The first nuclei to appear determine the population; a form that nucleates readily can dominate even if it grows slowly.
02Prediction
Polymorph should track the ratio.
03Refutation
Polymorph tracking thermodynamic stability would remove kinetics.