Question

Hydrodealklyation represents a gas phase chain reaction involving free radicals in which alkyl aromatics are converted to unsubstituted aromatics. A process for the hydrodealkylation of toluene from petroleum stocks to produce benzene and methane has been developed that occurs in the gas phase at high temperature. The free radical mechanism is believed to proceed by the sequence:

1. H2 → 2 H•

2. H• + C6H5CH3 → C6H5• + CH4

3. C6H5• + H2 → C6H6 + H•

4. 2 H• → H2

k1 and k4 are defined with respect to H2. Derive the reaction rate law for formation of benzene based on this mechanism.

Answer 1