With the help of an example explain what is meant by pseudo first order reaction.

Pseudo first order is a condition under which the order of a chemical reaction can be altered by taking the solvent or the reactant in excess amount due to which its concentration does not change much.


For example,


CH3COOCH3 + H20 CH3COOH + CH3OH


Initially rate is given by,


Rate= k’ [CH3COOH] [H2O]


When we add excess of solvent then,


Rate= k[CH3COOCH3]


Here k= k’[H2O]


This is also known as pseudo first order reaction.


1