Explain the reaction mechanism of the following reaction by showing the types of bond splitting and atom rearrangements.
C + O2 = CO2
The reaction you provided is the combustion of carbon (C) with oxygen (O2) to produce carbon dioxide (CO2). The reaction mechanism describes the step-by-step process of how the reactant molecules rearrange their atoms and bonds to form the product molecule.
Step 1: Bond Splitting
First, the O-O bond in the oxygen molecule (O2) needs to be broken. This can be achieved through the input of energy, such as a spark or heat. The O-O bond is cleaved, resulting in two separate oxygen atoms (O·).
O2 -> 2O·
Step 2: Atom Rearrangement
Next, one oxygen atom (O·) reacts with a carbon atom (C). The carbon atom donates one electron to the oxygen atom, forming a covalent bond between them. This step results in the formation of a carbon monoxide (CO) molecule.
C + O· -> CO
Step 3: Bond Splitting
Now, the remaining oxygen atom (O·) reacts with another carbon atom (C), similar to Step 2. The oxygen atom takes one electron from the carbon atom, creating another covalent bond and converting the carbon monoxide (CO) into a carbon dioxide (CO2) molecule.
C + O· -> CO2
Step 4: Overall Reaction
Taking both steps into account, it can be summarized as follows:
C + O2 -> CO2
In summary, the reaction mechanism involves the breaking of the O-O bond in oxygen, followed by the rearrangement of atoms and formation of new bonds as carbon atoms react with oxygen atoms. This ultimately leads to the formation of carbon dioxide as the final product.