Question

Which of the reaction mechanisms is consistent with the energy diagram?

Answer 1

A+B−→−−slowC

C−→−fastD

The energy diagram contains two maxima, which indicates that the reaction contains two elementary steps. The first maximum corresponds to the transition state of the first step and the second maximum corresponds to the transition state of the second step. The activation energy of the first step is greater than the activation energy of the second step, meaning the first step proceeds at a slower rate than the second step.

Answer 2

Solution

The energy diagram contains two maxima, which indicates that the reaction contains two elementary steps. The first maximum corresponds to the transition state of the first step and the second maximum corresponds to the transition state of the second step. The activation energy of the first step is less than the activation energy of the second step, meaning the first step proceeds at a faster rate than the second step. Therefore, the most probable reaction mechanism is

2A−→−fastB

B−→−−slowC

Step-by-step explanation: