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Reaction Mechanisms
Reaction Mechanisms
Reaction Mechanisms
The sequence of events that describes the
actual process by which reactants become
products is called the reaction mechanism.
NO2 + CO NO + CO2
Rate = k[NO2]2
Proposed Mechanism:
Step 1: NO2 + NO2 → NO3 + NO
Step 2: NO3 + CO → NO2 + CO2
Reaction Mechanisms
• Reactions may occur all at once or
through several discrete steps.
• Each of these processes is known as an
elementary reaction or elementary
process.
Reaction Mechanisms
k 2k 1
Rate = k−1 [NO] [Br2] [NO]
= k [NO]2 [Br2]
Catalysts
• A catalyst speeds up a reaction without
being consumed.
• Identify the catalyst in the reaction
mechanism below:
Cl(g) + O3(g) ClO(g) + O2(g)
O(g) + ClO(g) Cl(g) + O2(g)