Question

Consider the following mechanism.

(1) ClO-(aq) + H2O(l) ---> HClO(aq) + OH -(aq) [fast]
(2) I -(aq) + HClO(aq) ---> HIO(aq) + Cl -(aq) [slow]
(3) OH -(aq) + HIO(aq) ---> H2O(l) + IO-(aq) [fast]

(a) What is the overall equation? (Type your answer using the format [NH4]+ for NH4+. Use the lowest possible coefficients. Enter 0 if necessary. Do not leave any box blank.)
(aq) + I -(aq) Cl -(aq) + (aq) (b) Identify the intermediates, if any.
(Select all that apply.)

IO-
I -(aq)
ClO-(aq)
H2O(l)
HClO(aq)
no intermediates
OH -(aq)
Cl -(aq)
HIO(aq)

Answer 1

(a) The overall equation is:

`ClO^-(aq)+I^-(aq)\rightarrow Cl^-(aq)+IO^-(aq)`

(b) The intermediates are :

`OH^-(aq),HClO(aq)\text{ and }HIO(aq)`

Explanation :

Part (a) :

(1)
`ClO^-(aq)+H_2O(l)\rightarrow HClO(aq)+OH^-(aq)` (fast)

(2)
`I^-(aq)+HClO(aq)\rightarrow HIO(aq)+Cl^-(aq)` (slow)

(3)
`OH^-(aq)+HIO(aq)\rightarrow H_2O(l)+IO^-(aq)` (fast)

By adding the three equations and cancelling the common terms on both side, we will get the overall equation.

`ClO^-(aq)+I^-(aq)\rightarrow Cl^-(aq)+IO^-(aq)`

Part (b) :

Intermediates are generated and consumed in the mechanism and do not include in the overall equation.

Since, intermediates will not include in the overall mechanism.

The intermediates are :

`OH^-(aq),HClO(aq)\text{ and }HIO(aq)`