For the reaction 2Cl
2O+2N
2O
5 2NO
3Cl+2NO
2Cl+O
2 experimental data has given the following rate law: r=k[N
2O
5]. Devise a mechanism for this reaction.
The first step should be:
N
2O
5 ... (slow)
As in the reaction 2 equivalents of N
2O
5 appear, N
2O
5 should react with one product of the first step. Here I am stuck. I tried with N
2O
3 & O
2, NO
3 & NO
2, N
2O
4 & 1/2O
2. Only N
2O
3 could react with N
2O
5 to form maybe 2N
2O
4, but what then (I can't avoid a at least three-molecular reaction)? Any ideas? Or the products were some other species?