The photochemical decomposition of chlorofluorocarbons CCl3F(g) ® CCl2F(g) + Cl(

Question

The photochemical decomposition of chlorofluorocarbons CCl3F(g) ® CCl2F(g) + Cl(g) was shown to enhance the decomposition of ozone 2O3(g) ® 3O2(g) leading to the formation of an ozone hole over the South Pole. In the following mechanism for the decomposition of ozone, characterize the products (ClO, O2, and Cl) in each of the two steps. Step 1: Cl + O3 ® ClO + O2 Step 2: ClO + O3 ® Cl + 2O2 a. Cl is a catalyst, ClO is an intermediate, and O2 is a reaction product. b. Cl, ClO, and O2 are all intermediates. c. Cl is a catalyst, and ClO and O2 are intermediates. d. Cl is an intermediate, ClO is a catalyst, and O2 is a reaction product. e. Cl and ClO are both catalysts, and O2 is a reaction product.

Explanation / Answer

Option a. is the correct answer.

Cl is a catalyst as it is consumed in the first step and regenerated in the second step.

ClO is an intermediate as it is produced in the first step and consumed in the second step.

O2 is a reaction product as it is not consumed in any step and produced in both steps.

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