AP Chemistry / Unit 5: Kinetics
5.7 Introduction to Reaction Mechanisms
Notes
A mechanism is a series of elementary steps that add up to the overall reaction.
- Intermediates are made in one step and used in a later step.
- Catalysts appear at the start and are regenerated.
Practice
Step 1: $A+B\to C$. Step 2: $C+D\to E$. The intermediate:
Made then used.
The overall reaction for those steps:
Add steps; cancel $C$.
A catalyst in a mechanism:
Consumed then restored.
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