Question B2: Kinetics of a reversible, first-order reaction

The acid-catalysed conversion of -hydroxybutyric acid (GHBA) into its lactone, y-butyrolactone (GBL) is a

reversible reaction. The GHBA to GBL forward reaction is first-order with respect to the GHBA

concentration; the GBL to GHBA reverse reaction is first-order with respect to the GBL concentration.

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An experimental study of the kinetics of this reaction was undertaken in 0.2 mol L hydrochloric acid (HCI) at

298 K. The initial concentration of GHBA was 18.23 x 10³ mol L. The concentration of GBL in solution was

followed as a function of time (t), as indicated in Table B.3.