Reaction mechanisms | Chemical Kinetics: Mechanisms

General Chemistry 2 - Reaction mechanisms

Here is a four-step mechanism (with M = metal):

(1) CH4 + 2 H + H2O → CO + 4 H2

(2) CO + H2O → CO2 + H2

(3) 2 H + M → H2 + M

(4) 3 H2 + O2 → 2 H + 2 H2O

 

1) Write the overall reaction of this four-step process

2) Identify any intermediate species and catalysts

3) Write the law for each step

1) CH4 + 2 H + O2 → 3 H2 + CO2


2) Intermediate species: H2O and CO
Catalyst: M
 

(1) rate = k1 [CH4][H]2[H2O]
(2) rate = k2 [CO][H2]
(3) rate = k3 [H]2
(4) rate = k4 [H2]3[O2]