Question

A multi-step reaction includes an intermediate and a catalyst. The reactions are as follows:
$A+X\to Y$
$Y+B\to Z$
$Z+A\to C+X$
Based on the reactions, which of the following is NOT true?

• A. The overall balanced equation should only include A, B and C.
• B. X is a catalyst.
• C. Y is the only intermediate.
• D. There are four stable compounds that can be isolated outside of the reaction system.

Answer 1

The correct option is A The overall balanced equation should only include A, B and C.

$A+X⟶Y$

$Y+B⟶Z$

$Z+A⟶C+X$

The overall balanced equation should depend only on $A,B$ and $C$ because balanced equation does not depend upon $catalyst\left(x\right)$ and $intermediates(Y$ $and$ $Z)$

$\bullet$ $x$ is a $catalyst$ because it is added at the beginning of reaction and it is retrieved back at the end of the reaction.

$\bullet$ A reaction intermediate is formed from the reactants in a chemical reaction, and reacts further to produce the products observed after the reaction is complete.

$\therefore$ $Y$ and $Z$ both are the intermediates.

$\bullet$ An intermediate can never be isolated outside of the reaction system.

$\bullet$ Four stable compounds can be isolated are those are, $A,B,C$ and $X$.