Weblink 10.1 The A → B → C reaction

This applet shows how the concentrations of the three species A, B and C vary with time for the sequential reaction
A → B → C. An energy profile for the reaction is shown in the right.

k₁ is the rate constant for A → B, k_-1 is for B → A, and k₂ is for B → C

The predictions for how the concentrations of A, B and C vary according to the steady-state and pre-equilibrium approximations can also be shown. The steady-state approximation is valid if (k₂ + k_-1) >> k₁. The pre-equilibrium approximation is valid if k_-1 >> k₂.

• Alter the three rate-constants using the sliders
• Set k_-1 = 0 to suppress the reverse reaction B → A