In a lab simulation, students investigated the decomposition…
In a lab simulation, students investigated the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide catalyzed by iodide ion 2H2O2(aq) → 2(lH2O (l) + O2 (g) They were given the following proposed reaction mechanism: Step 1: H2O2+I−→H2O+OI−\text{H}_2\text{O}_2 + \text{I}^- \rightarrow \text{H}_2\text{O} + \text{OI}^- Step 2: H2O2+OI−→H2O+O2+I−\text{H}_2\text{O}_2 + \text{OI}^- \rightarrow \text{H}_2\text{O} + \text{O}_2 + \text{I}^- Student A made the following claim: “The iodide ion acts as a catalyst because it appears in the first step and disappears in the second.” Student B replied: “That can’t be right. The species that shows up in one step and is consumed in a later one without appearing in the overall reaction is actually the intermediate.” Based on their conversation, identify which species behaves as an intermediate in this mechanism. Justify