Overall rate of reactions of decomposition of dimethyl ether

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on the thermal decomposition of dimethyl ether (CH3OCH3) and the derivation of the rate expression using the steady-state assumption. The reaction pathway involves multiple steps, including the formation of radicals (CH3') and intermediates (CH2OCH3'). The key equation derived is -d[CH3OCH3]/dt = Ko [CH3OCH3]^n, where 'n' is an exponent that requires clarification. Participants are encouraged to share their approximations for the rate constants (k1, k2, k3, k4) to facilitate further analysis.

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ralden
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Hi Guys, I'm solving this for almost a week, this is a part of our probset in chemical kinetics:
The thermal decomposition of dimethyl ether:
CH3OCH3 ---K1--> CH3' + OCH3'
CH3' + CH3OCH3 ---K2--> CH4 + CH2OCH3'
CH2OCH3' + --k3---> CH3' + HCHO
CH3' + CH2OCH3' ---k4--> C2H5OCH3

using steady-state assumption and usual approximations of small initiation and termination coefficients show that

-d[CH3OCH3]/dt = Ko [CH3OCH3]^n

i tried to solved this but up until now i really don't have an idea how come that the right expression will have '^n' factor?please guys please help me thanks
 
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ralden said:
Hi Guys, I'm solving this for almost a week, this is a part of our probset in chemical kinetics:
The thermal decomposition of dimethyl ether:
CH3OCH3 ---K1--> CH3' + OCH3'
CH3' + CH3OCH3 ---K2--> CH4 + CH2OCH3'
CH2OCH3' + --k3---> CH3' + HCHO
CH3' + CH2OCH3' ---k4--> C2H5OCH3

using steady-state assumption and usual approximations of small initiation and termination coefficients show that

-d[CH3OCH3]/dt = Ko [CH3OCH3]^n

i tried to solved this but up until now i really don't have an idea how come that the right expression will have '^n' factor?


please guys please help me thanks

Please show us what you tried.

What were your approximations for the various k's?
 

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