Final answer:
The activation energy for the rearrangement of methyl isonitrile to acetonitrile is 64 kJ/mol.
Step-by-step explanation:
In order to determine the activation energy for the rearrangement of methyl isonitrile to acetonitrile, we can use the two-point form of the Arrhenius equation. The equation is ln(k2/k1) = (Ea/R)((1/T1)-(1/T2)), where k1 and k2 are the rate constants at temperatures T1 and T2 respectively, Ea is the activation energy, and R is the gas constant. Plugging in the given values, we can solve for the activation energy (Ea).
Given:
- k1 = 2.52 x 10-5
- T1 = 189.7 °C = 189.7 + 273.15 K
- k2 = 6.30 x 10-4
- T2 = 230.2 °C = 230.2 + 273.15 K
- R = 8.314 J/mol·K
Using the equation, we can solve for Ea:
ln(6.30 x 10-4/2.52 x 10-5) = (Ea/8.314)((1/(230.2 + 273.15)) - (1/(189.7 + 273.15)))
By rearranging and solving for Ea, we find that the activation energy is approximately 64 kJ/mol.
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