Rates of reaction - kinetics (A2)
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When trying to work out the reaction mechanism for peroxodisulphate ions reacting with iodide ions, do I need to know the structure and bonding within the peroxydisulphate ion? If so, is there any way which I can work out the structure of the ion?
Igloo writes ...
The structure for the peroxodisulphate ion is given in one of the FAQs on the site:
I am doing the iodine clock for my coursework, and I would like to examine the reaction mechanism. Can you help me with the structure of peroxodisulphate ions? I have also repeated this experiment with Cu2+ ions as a catalyst, but again I am stuck on the mechanism for this reaction. Can you help me here, what for example would the intermediate stage be?
And yes, knowing the structure does help to understand what takes place when it acts as an oxidising agent. You will find this commented on in the same FAQ.
As for the reaction mechanism there is no easy way of linking this with the structure of the ion. The order of reaction with respect to each of the reactants first needs to be ascertained by experimental means. Once this has been done it may be possible to suggest the mechanism.
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updated: 08 March 2006
