Lecture 24 Example Intermediates

[Joshua Eidam 2A]

Hello I am super confused as to what Lavelle was talking about in his lecture 24 when talking about intermediates. I understand that 2NO₂ cannot form an NO and a CO₂ but I don't understand how in the steps he was showing, the NO and NO₂ just turn into CO and CO₂. Can someone please clarify this for me? Thank you

[rachelhchem1I]

So NO3 is the intermediate step in this reaction, its not included in the reaction equation because of this. So 2 molecules of NO2 will collide to form NO3 and NO. Then, the NO3 reacts with CO to form NO2 and CO2. Cancelling out reactants and products on both sides yields the overall reaction. And note how the experimentally determined rate law (Rate=k[NO2]^2) is shown by the two molecules of NO2 colliding in the first step. Hope this helps!

[Nico Medina]

I was wondering this too, thanks for the help!