[superconduct]

1. The problem
Does iodine take part in the rate determining step of reaction between propanone and iodine in acidic medium?

2. The attempt at a solution
For positive catalyst the rate determining step is the 1st step of the at least 2 steps of reactions after being catalysed(usually??).
Since the reaction is order 1 with respect to iodine and also to hydrogen ions and 0th order to propanone, and the 1st step should be the reaction between the catalyst and 1 of the reactants, it should be between iodine and hydrogen ions because iodine controls the rate of the reaction and so it is 'rate determining' and take part in the r.d.s.

3. My questions
Are the hydrogen ions catalyst of the reaction? If so how do they act as the catalyst?? I mean are there like substeps with high reaction rates or it's about something else like adsorption to ions??
How would I know whether it takes part in the rate determining step or not?
What should be the answer actually?
I am highly uncertain about my assumptions in the above deduction, please correct me also!

[discodermolide]

Have a look at this page. It is pretty comprehensive.
http://www.demochem.de/cassy_jod_acet-e.htm