Q17E - Organic Chemistry (Mcmurry)

Question

Look at the following energy diagram:

(a) Is ${\mathbf{\Delta G}}^o$ for the reaction positive or negative? Label it on the diagram. 

(b) How many steps are involved in the reaction? 

(c) How many transition states are there? Label them on the diagram.

Step-by-Step Solution

Answer

${\text{ΔG}}^{\text{o}}$ for the reaction is positive.

There are two steps involved in the reaction.

Two transition states are there in the diagram.

Step 1: ΔG o reaction

In the given diagram there are two ${\text{ΔG}}^{\text{o}}$ are seen. For both the two values of ${\text{ΔG}}^{\text{o}}$ are positive.

Step 2: Number of steps in a given reaction

As there are two transition states are there in the reaction. Hence reaction is completed in two steps.

Step 3: Transition state

A transition state is a state corresponding to the highest potential energy along the reaction coordinate.

There are two transition states in the given energy profile diagram