The decomposition of aqueous hydrogen peroxide, H2O2 is believed to occur in two steps:
H2O2 + I- --k1---> H2O + IO- (slow) (elementary reaction)
H202 + IO- --k2---> H20 + O2 + I- (fast) (elementary reaction)
If by experimentation the rate law was determined to be rate = k [H2O2]; answer the following questions:
a) What is the overall equation representing this decomposition?
b) What is the rate law predicted by this mechanism?
c) Is the predicted mechanism plausible?
d) What is the intermediate?
e) What is the catalyst?