Question

The decomposition of gaseous dinitrogen oxide in the presence of Cl₂ at high temperatures is thought to follow the mechanism,

Cl₂(g) → 2 Cl (g)

N₂O (g) + Cl (g) → N₂(g) + ClO(g)

2 ClO(g) → Cl₂(g) + O₂(g)

In the net overall reaction, the second step occurs twice for each occurrence of the first and third steps. In this mechanism, the catalysts are ___________, and the intermediates are __________.

• A. catalysts — Cl & ClO ; intermediates — Cl₂
• B. catalysts — Cl₂ & Cl ; intermediates — ClO

• C. none of these

• D. catalysts — Cl₂ ; intermediates — Cl
• E. catalysts — Cl₂ ; intermediates Cl & ClO

Answer 1

• Catalyst is the substance which remain unchanged after the reaction.

so Cl​​​​​2 is catalyst.

• Intermediates are the species form for short period of time during a reaction which later covert into the product.

So Cl​​​ and ClO are intermediates.