A two-step reaction produces an intermediate whose energy is lower than that of the…
CHEMISTRY · Single correct · A Level · Chemistry · Kinetics · Kinetics
Problem
A two-step reaction produces an intermediate whose energy is lower than that of the reactants but higher than that of the products. Which statement best describes the relative stability of this intermediate?
(a) It is less stable than both the reactants and the products because it corresponds to a local energy maximum on the reaction profile
(b) Since the reaction is exothermic, the intermediate must be equally stable as the products and therefore more stable than the reactants
(c) It is more stable than the reactants but less stable than the products because its energy lies between them
(d) It is less stable than the reactants but more stable than the products because its energy lies between them