The pyrolysis of butane occurs by a highly complex mechanism. However, a simplified mechanism describing one avenue of the decomposition is given below: C4H102 C₂H5 K₁ C4H10+ C2H5 C2H6+ C4H9* C4H9C2H4 + C2H5* 2 C₂H5 C₂H4 + C₂H6 K2 K3 K4 Using this mechanism: (i) Write the overall balanced equation for this reaction, identify the intermediates (ii) Comment, with an explanation, on whether this is a chain reaction. (iii) Use the steady state approximation to obtain a rate law for the consumption of butane.

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(a) The pyrolysis of butane occurs by a highly complex mechanism. However, a simplified
mechanism describing one avenue of the decomposition is given below:
C4H102 C₂H5
K₁
C4H10 + C2H5 C2H6+ C4H9*
C4H9C2H4 + C2H5*
2 C₂H5* → C2H4 + C₂H6
K₂
K3
K4
Using this mechanism:
(i) Write the overall balanced equation for this reaction, identify the intermediates
(ii) Comment, with an explanation, on whether this is a chain reaction.
(iii) Use the steady state approximation to obtain a rate law for the consumption of butane.
(iv) Consider steps 1 and 4 and suggest an alternative reaction that could have occurred in
each of these steps and comment on the implications.
Transcribed Image Text:(a) The pyrolysis of butane occurs by a highly complex mechanism. However, a simplified mechanism describing one avenue of the decomposition is given below: C4H102 C₂H5 K₁ C4H10 + C2H5 C2H6+ C4H9* C4H9C2H4 + C2H5* 2 C₂H5* → C2H4 + C₂H6 K₂ K3 K4 Using this mechanism: (i) Write the overall balanced equation for this reaction, identify the intermediates (ii) Comment, with an explanation, on whether this is a chain reaction. (iii) Use the steady state approximation to obtain a rate law for the consumption of butane. (iv) Consider steps 1 and 4 and suggest an alternative reaction that could have occurred in each of these steps and comment on the implications.
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