Question

Using Le Châtelier’s Principle, explain why people suffering from carbon monoxide poisoning are given pure oxygen to breathe in order to reverse the poisoning?

Answer 1

See explanation

Step-by-step explanation:

Carbon monoxide is toxic because it can successfully competes with oxygen for hemoglobin (Hb) sites according to the following equilibrium:

Hb(O₂)₄(aq) + 4CO(g) ⇄ Hb(CO)₄(aq) + 4O₂(g)

Based on LeChatelier’s Principle, CO poisoning can be reversed by applying O₂(g) to victim. This addition of O₂(g) increases system concentration of O₂(g) in the equilibrium reaction thereby overloading the product side of the equilibrium forcing it to shift to the left, decomposing the carboxyhemoglobin (Hb(CO)₄) and releasing the CO(g) and combining with O₂(g) to form more Hb(O₂)₄.