Question

Consider the following balanced final equation. NO2 + CO mc014-1.jpg NO + CO2 Which is the correct step(s) for this reaction mechanism?

Answer 1

Answer b is the answer for the equation:

Answer 2

The overall reaction provided is as follows:

NO₂ + CO → NO + CO₂

The reaction proceeds under the following two step mechanism:

Step 1: NO₂ + NO₂ → NO + NO₃ (slow)

Two molecules of nitrogen dioxide react to form NO and NO₃ which is the slow step in the mechanism. The NO₃ that is formed goes on to react with the carbon monoxide that leads to the formation of NO₂ and CO₂ and this is the fast step in the mechanism.

Step 2: NO₃ + CO → NO₂ + CO₂ (fast)

Now we combine both reactions to get the overall reaction:

NO₂ + NO₂ → NO + NO₃
NO₃ + CO → NO₂ + CO₂
NO₂ + CO → NO + CO₂

The overall reaction agrees with the reaction provided in the question.