Order of a complex reaction
Order of complex reactions
The order of a complex reaction, i.e., a multi step reaction is determined by taking its slowest step known as rate determining step.
For example, in the reaction 2NO² + F² --> 2NO²F, the number of molecules involved is three, but the rate of the reaction determined experimentally is [NO²][F²]. Thus it's order is 2.
Thus possible mechanism for the reaction, may be written as
NO² + F² --> NO²F + F ( Slow)
NO²F + F --> NO²F² (Fast)
Example:
Reaction between NO and H²
2NO + H² -slow-> N² + H²O²
H²O² + H² -fast-> 2H²O