Edexcel IAL Chemistry A2 11.8 Deducing reaction mechanisms
Edexcel IAL Chemistry A2 11.8 Deducing reaction mechanisms
Use the rate equation to constrain the slow-stage species, split high-molecularity overall reactions into elementary steps and verify intermediates cancel.
How this is tested
- Reject a one-step route when the overall equation requires an improbable multi-particle collision.
- Choose a slow step from rate-law species, bond-breaking demand and activation-energy evidence.
- Draw a mechanism whose curly arrows, intermediates and summed steps fit the measured rate law.