Methanoic acid, HCOOH(aq) , is a monoprotic acid that can be synthesized by the reaction between CO and NH3 in the presence of hydronium ions. A proposed mechanism for the reaction consists of the three elementary steps shown below. Step 1: CH3 OH + CO → HCO2CH3 slow Step 2: HCO2CH3 + NH3 → HCONH2 + CH3 OH fast Step 3: HCONH2 + H3 O+ → HCOOH + NH4 + fast Overall reaction: CO + NH3 + H3 O+ → HCOOH + NH4 + ΔHrxn = −81 kJ/molrxn (a) Write the chemical formula of a species that behaves as a catalyst in the mechanism. (b) According to the proposed mechanism, if additional NH3 is added to the reaction mixture, will the rate of the overall reaction increase, decrease, or remain the same? Justify your answer.
Methanoic acid, HCOOH(aq) , is a monoprotic acid that can be synthesized by the reaction between CO and NH3 in the presence of hydronium ions. A proposed mechanism for the reaction consists of the three elementary steps shown below.
Step 1: CH3 OH + CO → HCO2CH3 slow
Step 2: HCO2CH3 + NH3 → HCONH2 + CH3 OH fast Step 3: HCONH2 + H3 O+ → HCOOH + NH4 + fast Overall reaction: CO + NH3 + H3 O+ → HCOOH + NH4 + ΔHrxn = −81 kJ/molrxn
(a) Write the chemical formula of a species that behaves as a catalyst in the mechanism.
(b) According to the proposed mechanism, if additional NH3 is added to the reaction mixture, will the rate of the overall reaction increase, decrease, or remain the same? Justify your answer.
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