The kinetic system A + B → C + D; B + C ⇌ E + F

Abstract

The rate equation corresponding to the title equations has been integrated by a numerical method. It is shown that the form of the solution thus obtained depends only on the value of the equilibrium constant for the second step, K, and is independent of the value of the rate constant for the first step, k. In favourable cases it is possible by this numerical method to estimate the value of K as well as to determine the value of the rate constant from results of a single kinetic run. Various approximate solutions of the rate equation are discussed, and it is shown that accurate rate constants can be obtained by using the simple expressions corresponding to K= 1 and K=∞. The former approximation is useful only for small values of K, but the latter approximation is of use for any value of K greater than about 4.