Question

Identify which component is a catalyst and which is a reaction intermediate. Explain your answer. The chlorine is a catalyst because it enables the reaction to move forward but is not consumed in the overall reaction. The ozone is a reaction intermediate because it is produced in one step of the reaction and consumed in the next.

Answer 1

Chlorine atoms function as a catalyst in the gas-phase transformation of O2 to O3, as they are regenerated and not consumed. Ozone is a reaction intermediate, being produced in one step and consumed in the next. Chlorine atoms act as a catalyst because they facilitate the conversion of ozone to oxygen without being consumed in the overall reaction. Ozone is a reaction intermediate as it is formed and then consumed within the reaction steps.

Step-by-step explanation:

Chlorine is a catalyst in the gas-phase transformation from O2 to O3 because it reacts in the second step but is regenerated in the third step, and it is not used up in the overall reaction. This characteristic of being regenerated and not consumed is what defines a catalyst. On the other hand, ozone (O3) is a reaction intermediate because it is produced in one step of the reaction (from O2) and consumed in the next step to form ClO.