The mechanism for the first-order reaction
2H₂O₂(aq) $\rightarrow$ 2H₂O(l) + O₂ in the presence of I^-(aq) is proposed to be:
Step 1: H₂O₂(aq) + I^-(aq) $\rightarrow$ H₂O( $\ell$ ) + OI^-(aq)
(slow)
Step 2: H₂O₂(aq) + OI^-(aq) $\rightarrow$ H₂O( $\ell$ ) + O₂(g) + I^-(aq)
(fast)
Identify the catalyst in the reaction.

Question

The mechanism for the first-order reaction
2H₂O₂(aq)

\rightarrow

2H₂O(l) + O₂ in the presence of I^-(aq) is proposed to be:
Step 1: H₂O₂(aq) + I^-(aq)

\rightarrow

H₂O(

\ell

) + OI^-(aq)
(slow)
Step 2: H₂O₂(aq) + OI^-(aq)

\rightarrow

H₂O(

\ell

) + O₂(g) + I^-(aq)
(fast)
Identify the catalyst in the reaction.

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The catalyst is I^- because it is consumed in the first step and regenerated in the second step, thus not being consumed overall in the reaction.

The Mechanism for the First-Order Reaction 2H2O2(aq) →\rightarrow→ 2H2O(l) + O2 in the Presence of I-(aq) Is Proposed