Chapter 12, Problem 12.137MP

Values of E_a = 6.3 kJ/mol and A = 6.0 × 10⁸ M⁻¹ s⁻¹ have been measured for the bimolecular reaction:

$\text{NO}(g)+{\text{F}}_2(g)\stackrel{}{\to }\text{NOF}(g)+\text{F}(g)$

1. (a) Calculate the rate constant at 25 °C.
2. (b) The product of the reaction is nitrosyl fluoride. Its formula is usually written as NOF, but its structure is actually ONF. Is the ONF molecule linear or bent?
3. (c) Draw a plausible transition state for the reaction. Use dashed lines to indicate the atoms that are weakly linked together in the transition state.
4. (d) Why does the reaction have such a low activation energy?