Question

Which of the following is not true of reaction intermediates?

• A. They are produced during a reaction
• B. They only appear during the rate-determining step
• C. They are consumed during a reaction
• D. They can be detected during a reaction

Answer 1

The correct option is B They only appear during the rate-determining step

Reaction intermediates are formed in one step and then consumed in a later step of the reaction mechanism.
The slowest step in the mechanism is called the rate determining or rate-limiting step.
The overall reaction rate is determined by the rates of the steps up to (and including) the rate-determining step.