Final answer:
The overall reaction is determined by combining the three steps and cancelling out intermediates. However, the given mechanism leads to no net reaction, which is likely a mistake in the provided chemical species.
Step-by-step explanation:
The provided reaction mechanism involves three steps with the first and third steps being fast and the second step being slow. The overall reaction can be determined by combining the steps and cancelling out the intermediates:
- (CH₃)₃au ph3 (Fast)
- (CH₃)₃au → C₂H₆ + (CH₃)au (Slow)
- (CH₃)au ph3 → (CH₃)au ph3 (Fast)
By adding all these steps together, the intermediates ((CH₃)au ph3 and (CH₃)au) that appear on both sides of the reaction cancel each other out:
(CH₃)₃au ph3 → (CH₃)₃au (Step 1 reverse)
(CH₃)₃au → C₂H₆ + (CH₃)au (Step 2)
(CH₃)au → (CH₃)au ph3 (Step 3 reverse)
The final balanced equation for the overall reaction is:
(CH₃)₃au ph3 → C₂H₆ + (CH₃)₃au ph3
However, it appears there is a mistake in the provided mechanism, as the lead reactant and final product are the same, suggesting no net reaction. This could be a typographical error, and clarification is needed for the correct chemical species involved.