Question

what is pseudo first order reaction

Answer 1

A pseudo first order reaction is a reaction that is truly second order but can be approximated to be first order under special circumstances. For example, a second order reaction of the type A + B --> C is dependant on the concentrations of both A and B. But monitoring the concentration of two different reactants at the same time is very difficult. If one of the reactants is used in a very large excess then that concentration would hardly change at all and could be considered to be essentially a constant. If [B]>>>[A], then the [B] would be essentially unchanged and the reaction could be considered pseudo first order with respect to [A] as a mathematical simplification. An example of this is the hydrolysis of an ester to a carboxylic acid using water. The reaction is truly second order and the rate depends on the concentration of the ester and water used. But since water is often used as a solvent, then its concentration is in a huge excess compared to the ester and can be considered a constant. Thus the reaction is pseudo first order for the ester.

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Answer 2

Hey !!

         PSEUDO FIRST ORDER REACTION

A reaction which is not truly of first order but under certain conditions becomes reaction of the first order is called a pseudo first order reaction.

Example :- The inversion of cane sugar is a bimolecular reaction but it is a first order reaction as concentration of H₂O is quite large and does not change appreciably.

   

                     C₁₂H₂₂O₁₁ + H₂O --H⁺--> C₆H₁₂O₆ + C₆H₁₂O₆

                     Rate = k [C₁₂H₂₂O₁₁]

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