Question 4.30 in the organic text book [ENDORSED]

[emilyharland]

This question reads: the activation energy, in organic reaction is known to be 125 kJ•mol-1. Will this reaction occur at room temperature. Could someone help with this thanks!

[Annie Chang 3G]

No, this reaction will not occur at room temperature because the temperature is not high enough to overcome the large activation energy barrier. 125 kJ/mol is a considered a high activation energy. Seen in the Arrhenius equation, the rate will be very slow if the activation energy is high due to the large energy barrier it must overcome. If the activation energy is high, then the temperature must be high in order for the rate to be fast.

[Jessica_Kim_3I]

On p.154 in the textbook, it says reactions with activation energies below 80 kJ/mol can occur at room temperature. Reactions with larger activation energies need energy inputted to occur