Composite Reactions & the Steady State Approximation

DECOMPOSITION OF AZOMETHANE

Hint

Given the equation

A(B + C) = D
The A term can be isolated by dividing both sides of the equation by (B + C):
A(B + C)/(B + C) = D/(B + C)
The (B + C) terms appearing on both the top and bottom of the fraction on the left hand side of the equation can be cancelled with each other, resulting in:
A = D/(B + C)

Obtaining the Steady State Concentration of (Azomethane)* - Step 3

[AZO*](k-1[AZO] + k2) = k1[AZO]2

Both sides of the equation are now divided by the term in the bracket,

(k-1[AZO] + k2)

leading to the result

[AZO*] = k1[AZO]2 / (k-1[AZO] + k2)

[AZO*] = k1[AZO]2 / (-k-1[AZO] - k2)

[AZO*](k-1[AZO] + k2) = k1[AZO]2 / (k-1[AZO] + k2)