Which statement is true about using sulfuric acid as a catalyst in the following reaction?

\[{\text{C}}{{\text{H}}_{\text{3}}}{\text{–CO–C}}{{\text{H}}_{\text{3}}}{\text{(aq)}} + {{\text{I}}_{\text{2}}}{\text{(aq)}}\xrightarrow{{{{\text{H}}^ + }{\text{(aq)}}}}{\text{C}}{{\text{H}}_{\text{3}}}{\text{–CO–C}}{{\text{H}}_{\text{2}}}{\text{–I(aq)}} + {\text{HI(aq)}}\]

I.     The catalyst increases the rate of reaction.

II.     The catalyst lowers the activation energy for the reaction.

III.     The catalyst has been consumed at the end of the chemical reaction.

A.     I and II only

B.     I and III only

C.     II and III only

D.     I, II and III

A

Five respondents alluded to the fact that the three options were listed as I, II and II, instead of I, II and III. The question overall was well answered by candidates (Difficulty Index was 76%). Another respondent stated that statement II, the fact the catalyst lowers the activation energy for the reaction is in fact misleading, as a catalyst provides in fact an alternative reaction pathway with a lower activation energy requirement. This is a valid interpretation, but it was felt that the wording did not have an impact on student performance.