6.1.8 - Investigating Reaction Mechanisms

• labelling with isotopes

  isotopes used as markers to track what happens to atoms during a chemical change

  atoms of normal isotopes are replaced with a different one
• why does labelling with isotopes work?

  isotopes have the same chemical properties so won't alter the course of the reaction
• what type of isotopes are used to label reactants?

  radioactive isotopes: tracked easily by detecting radiation

  non-radioactive isotopes can be followed by analysing samples with a mass spectrometer
• what are intermediates?

  species that don't appear in the balanced equation but exist as chemicals change from reactants to products which requires a series of steps
• how are intermediates detected?

  Spectroscopy to detect in termediates that exist for a short time

  chemically by adding chemicals to trap intermediates by reacting with them forming products that would only form if intermediates were present