IChO 2007 · Theory problem 3

Unstable chemical reactions

Many chemical reactions display unstable kinetic behavior. At different conditions (concentrations and temperature) such reactions can proceed in various modes: stable, oscillatory or chaotic. Most of these reactions include autocatalytic elementary steps.

Consider a simple reaction mechanism involving autocatalytic step:

Figure 1

(\(\ce{B}\) and \(\ce{D}\) are reagents, \(\ce{X}\) is an intermediate and \(\ce{P}\) is a product).

3.1 Write down the overall reaction equation for this two-step mechanism. Write the rate equation for \(\ce{X}\).

3.2 Deduce a rate equation using steady-state approximation. Find the orders:

(i) a partial reaction order with respect to \(\ce{B}\);

(ii) a partial reaction order with respect to \(\ce{D}\);

(iii) the overall order of a reaction.

Let the reaction occur in an open system where reagents \(\ce{B}\) and \(\ce{D}\) are being continuously added to the mixture so that their concentrations are maintained constant and equal: \([\ce{B}]=[\ce{D}]=\mathrm{const}\).

3.3 Without solving the kinetic equation draw the kinetic curve \([\ce{X}](t)\) for the cases:

\[ 1)\quad [\ce{X}]_0>\frac{k_2}{k_1}; \qquad 2)\quad [\ce{X}]_0<\frac{k_2}{k_1}. \]

3.4 Without solving the kinetic equation draw the kinetic curve \([\ce{X}](t)\) for the case when the reaction proceeds in a closed vessel with the initial concentrations: \([\ce{B}]_0=[\ce{D}]_0\), \([\ce{X}]_0>\dfrac{k_2}{k_1}\).

Much more complex kinetic behavior is possible for the reactions with several intermediates. Consider a simplified reaction mechanism for cold burning of ethane in oxygen:

Figure 2

Under specific conditions this reaction displays oscillatory behavior:

Intermediates are peroxide \(\ce{C2H6O2}\) and aldehyde \(\ce{C2H4O}\), \(\ce{P}\) is a stable product.

3.5 Identify \(\ce{X}\), \(\ce{Y}\), and \(\ce{P}\). Fill the blanks in the reaction mechanism.

Behavior of unstable reactions is often controlled by temperature which affects the rate constants. In the above oxidation mechanism oscillations of concentrations are possible only if \(k_1\geq k_2\). Parameters of the Arrhenius equations were determined experimentally:

Step \(A,\ \mathrm{cm^3\,mol^{-1}\,s^{-1}}\) \(E_{\mathrm A},\ \mathrm{kJ\,mol^{-1}}\)
1 \(1.0\times10^{11}\) 90
2 \(3.0\times10^{12}\) 100

3.6 What is the highest temperature at which oscillatory regime is possible? Show your calculations.

Official English text of the problem.

Answers

  • 3.1 \[ \boxed{\ce{B + D -> P}} \] \[ \boxed{\frac{d[\ce{X}]}{dt} =k_1[\ce{B}][\ce{X}]^2-k_2[\ce{D}][\ce{X}].} \]

  • 3.2 On the nonzero steady-state branch, \[ [\ce{X}]_{\mathrm{ss}}=\frac{k_2[\ce{D}]}{k_1[\ce{B}]}, \qquad \boxed{v=\frac{k_2^2}{k_1}\frac{[\ce{D}]^2}{[\ce{B}]}.} \] The orders are \(-1\) with respect to \(\ce{B}\), \(2\) with respect to \(\ce{D}\), and \(1\) overall.

  • 3.3 Write \(K=k_2/k_1\). 1. For \([\ce{X}]_0>K\), the curve increases continuously, is concave upward, and becomes unbounded at a finite time in the idealized model. 2. For \(0<[\ce{X}]_0<K\), the curve decreases continuously toward zero. If initially above \(K/2\), it first curves downward, passes through an inflection at \(K/2\), and then curves upward; if initially at or below \(K/2\), it curves upward thereafter.

  • 3.4 The curve rises from \([\ce{X}]_0\), reaches one maximum, and then decreases toward the horizontal asymptote \[ \boxed{[\ce{X}]_{\infty}=[\ce{X}]_0.} \]

  • 3.5 Using the carbon-skeleton-preserving structural assignments:

Species Identity Formula SMILES
\(\ce{X}\) Ethyl hydroperoxide \(\ce{C2H5OOH}\) CCOO
\(\ce{Y}\) Ethanal (acetaldehyde) \(\ce{CH3CHO}\) CC=O
\(\ce{P}\) Ethanol \(\ce{C2H5OH}\) CCO

The blanks, in order, are oxygen \(\ce{O2}\), O=O; water \(\ce{H2O}\), O; and water \(\ce{H2O}\), O. The completed balanced mechanism is given below.

  • 3.6 \[ \boxed{T_{\max}=\frac{10\,000}{R\ln30} \approx354\ \mathrm K\quad(\text{about }81\,^\circ\mathrm C).} \]

Solution

3.1

In this first mechanism, \(\ce{B}\), \(\ce{D}\), \(\ce{X}\), and \(\ce{P}\) are unspecified species, so molecular names and SMILES cannot be assigned.

The steps are \[ \ce{B + 2X ->[k_1] 3X}, \qquad \ce{X + D ->[k_2] P}. \]

Adding them and cancelling the intermediate gives \[ \boxed{\ce{B + D -> P}.} \]

Because the steps are elementary, their rates are \[ v_1=k_1[\ce{B}][\ce{X}]^2, \qquad v_2=k_2[\ce{X}][\ce{D}]. \]

Each occurrence of the first step produces one net \(\ce{X}\), whereas the second consumes one. Therefore, \[ \boxed{\frac{d[\ce{X}]}{dt} =(3-2)v_1-v_2 =k_1[\ce{B}][\ce{X}]^2-k_2[\ce{D}][\ce{X}].} \]

3.2

The steady-state approximation sets the net production rate of the intermediate approximately equal to zero: \[ 0\simeq[\ce{X}] \left(k_1[\ce{B}][\ce{X}]-k_2[\ce{D}]\right). \]

Besides the zero-concentration solution, the nonzero stationary concentration is \[ [\ce{X}]_{\mathrm{ss}} =\frac{k_2[\ce{D}]}{k_1[\ce{B}]}. \]

Substitution into the product-formation rate gives \[ v=\frac{d[\ce{P}]}{dt} =k_2[\ce{D}][\ce{X}]_{\mathrm{ss}} =\boxed{\frac{k_2^2}{k_1}\frac{[\ce{D}]^2}{[\ce{B}]}}. \]

Thus:

\[ \boxed{n_{\ce B}=-1,\qquad n_{\ce D}=2,\qquad n_{\mathrm{overall}}=-1+2=1.} \]

The other stationary branch, \([\ce{X}]=0\), gives zero reaction rate. The nonzero branch yields the requested formal rate law, although it is unstable when the reagent concentrations are held fixed, as the next part shows.

3.3

Define \[ x=[\ce{X}],\qquad x_0=[\ce{X}]_0,\qquad C=[\ce{B}]=[\ce{D}]>0,\qquad K=\frac{k_2}{k_1}. \] Here \(K\) has concentration units. The kinetic equation becomes \[ \dot x=Ck_1x(x-K). \]

The stationary concentrations are \(x=0\) and \(x=K\). The sign of \(\dot x\) determines the direction of motion without solving the equation.

For each sketch, put time on the horizontal axis and \(x\) on the vertical axis.

Case 1: \(x_0>K\).

Both factors \(x\) and \(x-K\) are positive, so \(x\) increases. Moreover, \[ \ddot x=Ck_1(2x-K)\dot x>0. \]

The curve therefore starts above \(K\), rises continuously, and becomes progressively steeper. Its unbounded growth occurs at a finite time: since \(x\geq x_0\), \[ \dot x\geq Ck_1\left(1-\frac{K}{x_0}\right)x^2, \] so \(1/x\) decreases at least at a fixed positive rate until it reaches zero. Thus the idealized sketch has a finite-time vertical asymptote.

Case 2: \(0<x_0<K\).

Now \(\dot x<0\), so the concentration decreases. It approaches zero asymptotically, flattening toward the time axis.

The curvature follows from \[ \ddot x=Ck_1(2x-K)\dot x. \]

Because \(\dot x<0\):

  • For \(K/2<x<K\), the curve is concave downward.
  • At \(x=K/2\), it has an inflection.
  • For \(0<x<K/2\), it is concave upward.

Consequently, an initial concentration above \(K/2\) gives a decreasing curve with one inflection; an initial concentration at or below \(K/2\) gives a curve that is concave upward thereafter.

For completeness, \(x_0=0\) remains zero, and \(x_0=K\) remains exactly \(K\). The latter stationary state is unstable: a small upward displacement grows, while a small downward displacement leads toward zero.

3.4

In a closed vessel, let \[ b=[\ce{B}],\qquad d=[\ce{D}],\qquad x=[\ce{X}], \qquad b_0=d_0=C_0. \]

The equations are \[ \dot b=-v_1,\qquad \dot d=-v_2,\qquad \dot x=v_1-v_2. \]

Hence \[ \frac{d}{dt}(x+b-d)=0. \] Using the equal initial reagent concentrations, \[ \boxed{x+b-d=x_0,\qquad x=x_0+d-b.} \]

Initially, \[ \dot x_0=C_0x_0(k_1x_0-k_2)>0, \] so the concentration rises.

It cannot subsequently cross below \(x_0\): at any point where \(x=x_0\), conservation requires \(b=d\), and therefore \[ \dot x=bx_0(k_1x_0-k_2)>0 \] while reagents remain.

Since \(x\geq x_0>0\), both reagents are continuously consumed and tend to zero. For example, \[ \dot b\leq-k_1x_0^2b,\qquad \dot d\leq-k_2x_0d. \] The conservation relation then gives \[ \boxed{x_\infty=x_0.} \]

There is exactly one maximum. At a stationary point, \(v_1=v_2=v>0\), and \[ \ddot x =-k_1vx^2+k_2vx =vx(k_2-k_1x)<0, \] because \(x\geq x_0>K\). Every stationary point is therefore a strict maximum; no intervening minimum is possible.

The requested sketch starts at \(x_0\), rises to a single peak with a horizontal tangent, then decreases and flattens toward \(x_0\) from above. Its initial concavity is not fixed by the supplied conditions.

3.5

Ethane is \(\ce{C2H6}\), SMILES CC.

In the first step, one molecule of ethane is converted into one additional molecule of \(\ce{X}\). Addition of oxygen gives \[ \ce{C2H6 + O2 -> C2H6O2}. \] Thus \(\ce{X}\) is the peroxide. Retaining the ethane carbon skeleton gives ethyl hydroperoxide, \(\ce{C2H5OOH}\), CCOO.

The second step consumes one net peroxide molecule and produces one net molecule of the other intermediate. The balance is \[ \ce{C2H6O2 -> C2H4O + H2O}. \] Therefore \(\ce{Y}\) is the aldehyde ethanal, \(\ce{CH3CHO}\), CC=O, and the missing product is water.

In the third step, adding water to ethane and ethanal gives the combined composition \[ \ce{C2H6 + C2H4O + H2O}, \] containing four carbon, twelve hydrogen, and two oxygen atoms. Two molecules of \(\ce{P}\) consequently each have formula \(\ce{C2H6O}\). The carbon-skeleton-preserving product is ethanol, \(\ce{C2H5OH}\), CCO.

The completed mechanism is therefore \[ \boxed{\ce{C2H6 + C2H5OOH + O2 ->[k_1] 2C2H5OOH}} \] \[ \boxed{\ce{C2H5OOH + CH3CHO ->[k_2] 2CH3CHO + H2O}} \] \[ \boxed{\ce{C2H6 + CH3CHO + H2O ->[k_3] 2C2H5OH}}. \]

All three equations conserve carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen. Adding them cancels both intermediates and water, giving the overall partial oxidation: \[ \ce{2C2H6 + O2 -> 2C2H5OH}. \]

3.6

The Arrhenius equation is \[ k_i=A_i\exp\left(-\frac{E_{\mathrm A,i}}{RT}\right). \]

Thus \[ \frac{k_1}{k_2} =\frac{A_1}{A_2} \exp\left(\frac{E_{\mathrm A,2}-E_{\mathrm A,1}}{RT}\right) =\frac1{30}\exp\left(\frac{10\,000\ \mathrm{J\,mol^{-1}}}{RT}\right). \]

The stated condition \(k_1\geq k_2\) requires \[ \frac{10\,000\ \mathrm{J\,mol^{-1}}}{RT}\geq\ln30. \] Therefore, \[ T\leq\frac{10\,000\ \mathrm{J\,mol^{-1}}}{R\ln30}. \]

Using \(R=8.314\ \mathrm{J\,mol^{-1}\,K^{-1}}\), \[ T_{\max} =\frac{10\,000}{8.314\ln30}\ \mathrm K =353.6\ \mathrm K. \]

Hence \[ \boxed{T_{\max}\approx354\ \mathrm K \approx81\,^\circ\mathrm C.} \]

This is the upper temperature allowed by the stated necessary condition; that condition alone does not guarantee oscillations at every lower temperature.

The solution was checked against the official solution.