Chemistry
Chemistry
Problem
The decomposition of hydrogen peroxide in aqueous solution follows the overall equation 2 H₂O₂(aq) → 2 H₂O(l) + O₂(g). Two mechanisms are proposed.
Mechanism I:
Step 1 H₂O₂ → 2 HO·
Step 2 HO· + H₂O₂ → H₂O + HO₂·
Step 3 HO₂· + HO₂· → H₂O₂ + O₂
Mechanism II:
Step 1 2 H₂O₂ → H₂O + HO₂· + HO₂·
Step 2 HO₂· + HO₂· → H₂O₂ + O₂
Electron-spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopy detects HO· radicals during the reaction. Which mechanism (I or II) is more consistent with this evidence? State the mechanism number.
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