Consider the following energy profile.
(b) How many intermediates are formed in the reaction?

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Identify the peaks and valleys in the energy profile diagram. Each valley between peaks represents a stable intermediate formed during the reaction process.

Count the number of valleys in the energy profile, as each valley corresponds to one intermediate.

Ensure that you are only counting the valleys that occur between the reactants and the products, excluding the starting reactant state and the final product state.

Verify if any intermediates are revisited or if any intermediate appears more than once in the reaction pathway, as each unique intermediate should be counted only once.

Sum up the total number of unique intermediates formed throughout the reaction pathway as indicated by the energy profile.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Reaction Mechanism

A reaction mechanism is a step-by-step description of the pathway taken during a chemical reaction. It outlines the sequence of elementary steps, including the formation and consumption of intermediates. Understanding the mechanism helps in identifying how reactants transform into products and the role of intermediates in this process.

Intermediates

Intermediates are species that are formed during the course of a chemical reaction but are not present in the final products. They exist only transiently and are crucial for understanding the reaction pathway. Identifying intermediates can provide insights into the stability and reactivity of different species involved in the reaction.

Energy Profile Diagram

An energy profile diagram visually represents the energy changes that occur during a chemical reaction. It typically shows the energy of reactants, intermediates, and products, along with activation energy barriers. Analyzing this diagram helps in determining the number of intermediates and the overall energy changes associated with the reaction.

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