Consider the following reaction that goes from A to B in three steps as shown below:

Choose the correct option:

| | Number of Intermediates | Number of Activated Complexes | Rate determining step

Question

Consider the following reaction that goes from A to B in three steps as shown below:

Choose the correct option:

| | Number of Intermediates | Number of Activated Complexes | Rate determining step |
|:---:|:---:|:---:|:---:|
| (1) | 2 | 3 | — |
| (2) | 2 | 3 | I |
| (3) | 2 | 3 | III |
| (4) | 3 | 2 | II |

Canvas Classes · Accepted Answer

From a 3-step reaction profile:
- Number of intermediates = number of energy minima between reactants and products = 2 (one between steps 1-2 and one between steps 2-3)
- Number of activated complexes (transition states) = number of energy maxima = 3 (one per step)
- Rate determining step = the step with the highest activation energy (highest energy barrier). In the given profile, step III has the highest energy barrier.

Answer: Option (3) — 2 intermediates, 3 activated complexes, RDS = Step II

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