Ostwald reaction principle

These conditions are fulfilled in many cases. The sequential formation of phases having different stabilities has in principle been known for a long time, in particular in the case of precipitation processes, and is described phenomenologically as the Ostwald rule. Typical timescales on which these solid-state reactions occur are in the range from 104 to 106 s, being consequently slower by many orders of magnitude than rapid quenching from the liquid (10-6-10-3 s) or the vapor phase (10-14-10 10 s). 

The sequence of the above processes recalls the principle first pointed out by Ostwald, that in all reactions the most stable state may... 

See W. OstWald, Journ, prakt. Chem., [2], 28, 449, 1883, for experimental numbers. Hint. There is a of catalyzing acid present and the velocity of the reaction due to this agent will be a b - x) but x of acetic acid has also been produced so that the velocity of the reaction due to the catalyzing action of acetic acid is equal to kxx b - x). Now apply the principle of the mutual independence of different reactions of page 70. 

Wilhelm Ostwald (1853-1932), Germany. In recognition of his work on catalysis and for his investigations into the fundamental principles governing chemical equilibria and rates of reaction. ... 

---