Reaction Mechanisms Most reactions occur in a series of steps Some products of a first step are used up as reactants in a second step and are not seen in an overall reaction (intermediate) Individual reactions are called elementary steps TWO REQUIREMENTS
Molecularity Deals with the number of species colliding when a reaction happens UNImolecular: one molecule = first order BImolecular: two molecules/species = second order TERmolecular: three species = third order
Elementary Steps Requirements Sum of elementary steps must give the overall balanced equation for the reaction Mechanism must agree with the experimentally determined rate law
Rate-Determining Step Helps confirm the #2 from the last slide The intermediate step that is much slower than the other steps This slower step determines the rate law used in calculations After determining the rate law, the mechanism can be hypothesized
Example 2NO + 2H2 -> 2H2O + N2 Rate = k[NO2]2[H2] Mechanism: NO + H2 -> N + H2O (slow) N + NO -> N2O (fast) N2O + H2 -> N2 + H2O (fast) Is this mechanism consistent with the observed rate law? Answer: (part 1) yes, (part 2) no
Example #2 2NO + 2H2 -> 2H2O + N2 Rate = k[NO2]2[H2] Mechanism: NO + H2 <-> N + H2O (fast, with equal rates) N + NO -> N2O (slow) N2O + H2 -> N2 + H2O (fast) Is this mechanism consistent with the observed rate law? Answer: (part 1) yes, (part 2) no