5.

TOPIC: 5.7 INTRODUCTION TO REACTION MECHANISMS

LEARNING OBJECTIVE:
TRA-5.A Identify the components of a reaction mechanism.
ESSENTIAL KNOWLEDGE:
TRA-5.A.1 A reaction mechanism consists of a series of elementary reactions, or steps, that occur in sequence. The
components may include reactants, intermediates, products, and catalysts.
TRA-5.A.2 The elementary steps when combined should align with the overall balanced equation of a chemical reaction.
TRA-5.A.3 A reaction intermediate is produced by some elementary steps and consumed by others, such that it is present
only while a reaction is occurring.
TRA-5.A.4 Experimental detection of a reaction intermediate is a common way to build evidence in support of one
reaction mechanism over an alternative mechanism.
Exclusion Statement: Collection of data pertaining to detection of a reaction intermediate will not be assessed on
the AP exam.
EQUATION(S): NONE

NOTES:
Many reactions do not occur in a single step in which reactants are directly converted into products. In reactions
involving multiple steps, the overall reaction occurs in a series of reactions (elementary reactions, or steps) that
occur in sequence. Each of those steps is called an elementary reaction. When the elementary reactions are
combined they give the overall reaction.

As an example, the conversion of ozone (O3) into oxygen (O2) occurs in two steps as shown below:

Step 1: O3(g) → O2(g) + O

Step 2: O + O3(g) → 2O2(g)

The elementary steps can be combined to give the overall reaction as shown:

Step 1: O3(g) → O2(g) + O

Step 2: O + O3(g) → 2O2(g)
Overall: 2O3(g) → 3O2(g) *Note: The combination of elementary steps must match the
overall balanced equation in order to be a valid mechanism.

In the example above, O is an intermediate. It appears as a product of the first step and is then consumed in the
second step. The intermediate is only present while the reaction is occurring, and does not appear as a reactant or
product in the overall equation. When a mechanism is proposed as a possible pathway for a reaction to occur,
obtaining evidence of the presence of an intermediate can either support or refute the proposed mechanism.

The conversion of ozone to oxygen can be sped up by chlorine free radicals. In this case, chlorine free radicals are a
catalyst of the reaction, and ClO is created as an intermediate. A catalyst will appear as a reactant in the rate
determining step, but will then appear as a product of a later step. A catalyst will not appear as a reactant or
product in the overall reaction:

Step 1: Cl + O3(g) → ClO(g) + O2(g)

Step 2: ClO(g) + O → Cl + O2(g)
Overall: O3(g) + O →2O2(g)

1 TOPIC: 5.7 Introduction to Reaction Mechanisms by Emily Miller is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0. To view a copy of this license, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/.
 5.7
I DO:
Write the overall reaction represented by the mechanism shown below.

Step 1: N2O (g) → N2 (g) + O (g)

Step 2: N2O (g) + O (g) → N2 (g) + O2 (g)

Obtain the overall reaction by combining steps and eliminating catalysts and intermediates:
N2O (g) → N2 (g) + O (g)
N2O (g) + O (g) → N2 (g) + O2 (g)
2N2O (g) → 2 N2 (g) + O2 (g)
Identify the catalyst as the species that is present as a reactant in the first step and a product of the second
step: None

Identify the intermediate as the species that is produced during the first step and consumed in the second
step: O (g)

WE DO:
2NO(g) + O2(g) → 2NO2(g)
Which mechanism below is a valid mechanism for the reaction shown above? Explain
your answer.
Mechanism 1
Step 1: 2NO(g) → N2O2(g)
Step 2: N2O2(g) → NO2(g) + O
Step 3: NO(g) + O → NO2(g)
Mechanism 2
ceiIvalidbecaus
Tehri.la
Step 1: NO(g) + O2(g) → NO3(g)
Step 2: NO3(g) + NO(g) → 2NO2(g)
YOU DO:
1) Write the overall reaction for the mechanism shown below, and then identify any catalysts or
intermediates.
Step 1: 2N2O(g) → N4O2(g)
Step 2: N4O2(g) → 2N2(g) + O2(g) 2N20igT2N215,0zig
catalysts none
intermediates N40zcg
2) Write the overall reaction for the mechanism shown below, then identify any catalysts or intermediates.
Step 1: 2SO2(g) + 2NO2(g) → 2SO3(g) + 2NO(g)
Step 2: 2NO(g) + O2(g) → 2NO2(g)
L catalysts 2NOzcg
intermediates 2Nocg
2502191 02cg 250 g
2H2(g) + 2NO(g) → N2(g) + 2H2O(g)
3) Which mechanism below is a valid mechanism for the reaction shown above? Explain your answer.

Mechanism 1
Step 1: H2(g) + NO(g) → H2O(g) + N
Step 2:
Step 3:
N + NO(g) → N2(g) + O
O + H2(g) → H2O(g)
2Hzcgst2NOcg
Mechanism
Nag
1 isthevalid
2420cg
Mechanism 2
Step 1: H2(g) + 2NO(g) → N2O(g) + H2(g) + O Interfectursethene
Éevñ
Step 2: N2O(g) + H2(g) → N2(g) + H2O(g)
Y 1Eolidatith am
aureacnon

Ian.com ag o
2 TOPIC: 5.7 Introduction to Reaction Mechanisms by Emily Miller is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0. To view a copy of this license, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/.
 5.7
4) Given the reaction below:

Key: N = C= O=

Step 1

Step 2

a) Write the two steps of the reaction mechanism.

step 1 2N021g NO3cg NOcg

step 2 COig NO
3 NOzig t 02
b) Write the overall reaction

NOzigit
0cg Noig 02cg
c) Draw the overall reaction

d) Identify any intermediates

intermediates NO3cg

3 TOPIC: 5.7 Introduction to Reaction Mechanisms by Emily Miller is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0. To view a copy of this license, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/.