Comment on "The mathematical origins of the kinetic compensation effect" parts 1 and 2 by P. J. Barrie, Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys., 2012, 14, 318 and 327.

The concept of kinetic compensation and the associated isokinetic relation continue to be subject to debate, despite the fact that the conditions under which they are to be expected are now well established, and the criteria for deciding that they have been observed are known. We present these conditions and criteria, and the reality of these relations, and stress their importance for catalysis. We then discuss the fact that statistical arguments against their reality continue to be presented. Recently two articles, based upon the statistical point of view have been published in this Journal. We show that, despite the fact that the mathematics of these articles is error free, they present a distorted image of the present understanding of the subject.