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Autocatalysis

A chemical reaction undergoes autocatalysis if a product of the reaction acts as a catalyst for the reaction. The reaction starts slowly, then speeds up as the product is formed.In the reaction:2MnO₄^- + 16H⁺ + 5C₂O₄^2- → 2Mn²⁺ + 8H₂O + 10CO₂The Mn²⁺ reduces the MnO₄^- to Mn³⁺The Mn³⁺ then oxidises the C₂O₄ to CO₂ reforming Mn²⁺.

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Specification: OCR Chemistry A (H032), AS-level, 3.2.2 Reaction rates. Topic: Reaction Rates.

Key terms in this lesson

Catalyst: A substance that increases the rate of a chemical reaction without being used up, by providing an alternative reaction pathway with a lower activation energy.

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All 10 lessons in Reaction Rates · All OCR AS-level Chemistry topics