Thermal decomposition of dibromosuccinic acid (DBSA) taking place according to the following equatio — Chemical Kinetics Chemistry Question
Question
Thermal decomposition of dibromosuccinic acid (DBSA) taking place according to the following equation, obeys first-order kinetics. CH(Br)COOH-CH(Br)COOH → CHCOOH=CBrCOOH + HBr. The progress of reaction may be followed by means of alkali titration of the solution at various time intervals. If T0 and Tt be the ml of alkali solution at zero time and at any time t, respectively and a and (a - x) be the concentrations of DBSA at zero time and at any time t, respectively, then the value of a / (a - x) is
💡 Solution & Explanation
DBSA has 2 acidic protons. Products have 2 + 1 (from HBr) = 3 acidic protons. Initially, T0 ∝ 2a. At time t, Tt ∝ 2(a - x) + 3x = 2a + x. Thus, x = Tt - T0. Then a - x = (T0/2) - (Tt - T0) = (3T0 - 2Tt) / 2. The ratio a / (a - x) = (T0/2) / ((3T0 - 2Tt) / 2) = T0 / (3T0 - 2Tt). Therefore, correct answer is A.