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when I add $\ce{RCl + H2O -> ROH + HCl}$

but it's also true in reverse $\ce{ROH + HCl -> RCl +H2O}$

however this is not in case of $\ce{FeSO4 +Zn -> Zn + FeSO4}$

$\ce{ZnSO4 + Fe -> no rxn}$

How can a reaction be true both ways ?

Mathew Mahindaratne
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Bhavay
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     – Poutnik Jun 01 '19 at 13:21
  • my mistake i will correct it – Bhavay Jun 01 '19 at 13:53
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    What does FeSO4 + Zn have anything to do with nucleophilic substitution? – orthocresol Jun 01 '19 at 13:56
  • If you insist on plain text, what is discouraged in Chemistry SE site, at least write the equations properly. Asking the question the way it is rather presents disrespect to readers. – Poutnik Jun 01 '19 at 13:57

1 Answers1

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It should be better to write equations as

$$\ce{RCl +H2O <=> ROH +HCl}$$

$$\ce{Fe^2+ +Zn <=>> Zn^2+ + Fe }$$

with the latter having the equilibrium shifted to far right.

But is case of high concentration of $\ce{Fe^2+}$ and very low concentration of $\ce{Zn^2+}$, the net reaction would be ongoing leftwards.

If the left side of equation below is smaller than right one, the net reaction in inclined toward iron being replaced by zinc. And vice versa.

$$E^{\circ}_{\ce{Zn/Zn^2+}}+0.0295\log {a_{\ce{Zn^2+}}}=E^{\circ}_{\ce{Fe/Fe^2+}}+0.0295\log {a_{\ce{Fe^2+}}}$$

Note that forward and backward reaction are ongoing simultaneously, having the same rate at the equilibrium.

Poutnik
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