We did an experiment using blue dye and NAClO. Our reaction order with respect t

Question

We did an experiment using blue dye and NAClO. Our reaction order with respect to the dye was first order and our reaction order with respect to the ClO- was second order.

1. Reaction rate laws are frequently used to investigate reaction mechanisms. Would your results to this experiment be consistent with either or both of the following mechanisms?

A. single step bimolecular reaction between dye and NaClO
B. slow unimolecular decomposition of the dye followed by a rapid electron transfer reaction with ClO - ion.

Which mechanism is correct? Can you be certain that a mechanism is correct?

*Please explain how to figure this out*

Explanation / Answer

I would assume that you determined t he orders a and b from your experimental data. We would need to know those exponents, as well as a table of your data (to see the effect of changing the concentrations on the reaction rate) in order to assess the mechanisms' applicability.

For example,

B. slow unimolecular decomposition of the dye followed by a rapid electron transfer reaction with ClO ion.

If the data showed that the rate was unaffected by increasing the dye concentration (at constant NaOCl concentration), then that mechanism would not explain the results and thus would be rejected.

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