rate determining steps -- disparity between chads and destroyer

[gooperwooper]

so chad's videos says that the tallest peak in a diagram of energy vs reaction coordinate is always the rate determining step even though maybe another peak would have a higher activation energy. However dat destroyer doesn't seem to think the same-- so which one should I follow?

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[cacajuate]

What does destroyer think?


The tallest peak is going to need the highest Ea therefore will take the longest and be the rate determining step.

 

[DAT Destroyer]

so chad's videos says that the tallest peak in a diagram of energy vs reaction coordinate is always the rate determining step even though maybe another peak would have a higher activation energy. However dat destroyer doesn't seem to think the same-- so which one should I follow?

Hi gooperwooper,

This is sometimes confusing, even to teachers. In multi-step reactions, the observed rate is related to the OVERALL barrier height between REACTANTS and the HIGHEST transition state, and NOT necessarily associated with the step of highest energy of activation. Most Physical Organic chemistry books present further details. The bottom line is this.....LOOK for the highest " mountain " for the rate limiting state.....the correct way to define it is by looking for that " peak " furthest from the starting materials.

Hope this helps.

Dr. Romano

Here is a wonderful link that will delight you......CH 368: Unit 2
research.cm.utexas.edu/nbauld/unit2.htm

 

[gooperwooper]

thanks dr romano !

 

[DAT Destroyer]

thanks dr romano !

Keep up the great work!