What is the Difference Between Elementary and Non Elementary Reaction?

The main difference between elementary and non-elementary reactions lies in the number of steps involved in the reaction process.

Elementary Reactions:

• Occur in a single step.
• Have a single transition state.
• Do not produce any detectable intermediates.
• Are simple in nature.
• The order of the reaction equals the stoichiometric coefficients of the reaction.

Non-Elementary Reactions:

• Occur in multiple steps.
• Have a series of transition states with multiple intermediates.
• Produce detectable intermediates.
• Are complex in nature.
• The order of the reaction does not agree with the stoichiometric coefficients of the reaction, and it can be either an integer or a fraction.

In summary, elementary reactions involve a single step with a single transition state, while non-elementary reactions involve multiple steps with multiple transition states and intermediates. Elementary reactions are simpler and have a single order that agrees with the stoichiometric coefficients, while non-elementary reactions are more complex and have orders that do not agree with the stoichiometric coefficients.

Comparative Table: Elementary vs Non Elementary Reaction

The main difference between elementary and non-elementary reactions lies in the number of sub-steps involved in the chemical reaction. Here is a comparison between the two:

In summary, elementary reactions involve a single sub-step and are simple, while non-elementary reactions have multiple sub-steps and are more complex.