blackmamba123 - 31-5-2015 at 19:50
Hey guys I just stumbled on this question. If you can help that would be great.
The following is a proposed mechanism for this reaction. One of the species has been left out and replaced with "?". Determine what that species is.
Step 1: OCl- + H2O β HOCl + OH- ( fast )
Step 2: I- + ? β IOH + Cl- ( slow )
Step 3: IOH + OH- βIO - + H2O ( fast )
- Which three species in the mechanism above are intermediates?
-Which species is the catalyst?
I thought that a catalyst would remain unchanged throughout the reaction and I am a little confused as if i am to consider these steps as one overall
reaction?
Thanks for any help
DraconicAcid - 31-5-2015 at 20:21
If you add up the three steps, you will get the overall reaction.
A catalyst will be unchanged, but only because it is consumed in one step, and regenerated in another. An intermediate is the reverse- generated in
one, consumed later.
blackmamba123 - 31-5-2015 at 21:50
Could you explain what is meant by intermediates in a little more detail please
DraconicAcid - 31-5-2015 at 21:53
An intermediate is a species which is generated in one step of the reaction, and then consumed, so it does not appear in the overall reaction.
billybob - 2-6-2015 at 18:42
so i would suppose it would be HOCl, IOH, and IO-?
DraconicAcid - 2-6-2015 at 18:46
I'm not going to help you with that part, Grasshopper. You must find your own path.
billybob - 2-6-2015 at 18:51
It is the correct answer!
[Edited on 3-6-2015 by billybob]