1x In the upper atmosphere, chlorofluorocarbons such as CFCl_(3) absorb sunlight and subsequently fragment, yielding I Cl atoms. The Cl atoms then destroy ozone by the following mechanism: Cl_((g))+O_(3(g))arrow ClO_((g))+O_(2(g)) ClO_((g))+O_((g))arrow Cl_((g))+O_(2(g)) Is CIO a catalyst or a reaction intermediate? Why? A square CIO is a catalyst because it would not appear in the overall reaction. B square CIO is a reaction intermediate because it would not

The correct answer is B: CIO is a reaction intermediate because it would not appear in the overall reaction.<br /><br />In the given mechanism, CIO is formed as an intermediate step in the reaction between Cl and O3. It is not a catalyst because it is not regenerated at the end of the reaction and does not appear in the overall balanced chemical equation. Instead, CIO is consumed in the subsequent reaction with O, forming Cl and O2. Therefore, CIO is considered a reaction intermediate rather than a catalyst.