How to determine possible reaction mechanisms?
Consider the reaction
2XY+Z2⇌2XYZ
which has a rate law of
rate= k[XY][Z2]
Select a possible mechanism for the reaction.
a) Step1: XY+Z2→XYZ+Z (slow) Step 2: XY+Z→XYZ (fast)
b)Step1: Z2→Z+Z (slow) Step 2: XY+Z→XYZ (fast) Step 3: XY+Z→XYZ (fast)
I'm not sure which one is the right answer. Exactly which one will give me the equilibrium reaction like the one considered? Thanks for the help!
Consider the reaction
2XY+Z2⇌2XYZ
which has a rate law of
rate= k[XY][Z2]
Select a possible mechanism for the reaction.
a) Step1: XY+Z2→XYZ+Z (slow) Step 2: XY+Z→XYZ (fast)
b)Step1: Z2→Z+Z (slow) Step 2: XY+Z→XYZ (fast) Step 3: XY+Z→XYZ (fast)
I'm not sure which one is the right answer. Exactly which one will give me the equilibrium reaction like the one considered? Thanks for the help!
1 Answer
a) Step1: XY+Z2→XYZ+Z (slow) Step 2: XY+Z→XYZ (fast)
Explanation:
Because the given rate is directly and linearly proportional to both XY and Z2 it cannot be b), as the main rate determinant would be Z2, with the amount of XY essentially irrelevant.
a) also indicates a 1:1 ratio of XY and Z2 as the slow, rate-determining step.
