[Chemistry] A reaction has the following reaction profile.

Question

a. How many elementary steps are in this reaction pathway?

b. Which step is the slowest?    (Give the letter)          

c. Which step is the fastest?      (Give the letter)

d. Which step determines the overall reaction rate? (Give the letter)

e.  Is this reaction exothermic or endothermic? 

f.  How many transitions are in this reaction pathway?

g. Label reactants with the letter X

h. Label the products with the letter Y

i. How many intermediates are there? 

Answer 1

a. How many elementary steps are in this reaction pathway? 3

Corresponding to the 3 transition states (A, C, and E)

b. Which step is the slowest?    A    

Highest activation barrier

c. Which step is the fastest?     E

Lowest activation barrier

d. Which step determines the overall reaction rate? A

The slowest elementary step, referred to as the rate-determining step.

e.  Is this reaction exothermic or endothermic? 

Downhill in energy. Going from less stable reactant(s) to more stable product(s).

f.  How many transition states are in this reaction pathway? 3

3 local maxima on the reaction profile

g. Label reactants with the letter X. The X label goes to the left of the first step (A)

h. Label the products with the letter Y. The Y label goes to the right of the first step (E)

i. How many intermediates are there? 2

Corresponding to labels B and D–the local minima between transition states.