Lecture Example: Homogeneous Catalyst

[Rhiannon Imbeah 2I]

In the example of the homogeneous catalyst (nitric oxide conversion), in the very last step, how was 3/2 O₂(g) converted to O₃(g)? Thank you!

[Michelle_Li_1H]

The overall equation of the reaction would be 1/2(O2) + O2 ---> O3, not looking at the catalysts or intermediates because they appear as both reactants and products and are therefore used up. The catalyst in this case would be NO because it is there from the beginning of the reaction, rather than being formed, then it is used up. The intermediates in this case would be NO2 and O because they are first formed in the reaction and used up in a later step. This would leave 1/2 (O2) and O2 as the reactants and O3 as the products, giving us the 3/2(O2) converting to O3 in your question.

Hope this helps!