A mechanism consisting of several elementary steps may not have a unique stoichiometry. Even if one exists, a linear combination of the steps will not in general lead to a correct formulation of the overall stoichiometry. We consider the time dependence of stoichiometry and show how it can be obtained. A linear combination of the rate expressions for the steps, together with the use of the steady-state assumption for the concentration of reactive intermediates, will lead to an unambiguous expression for the time-dependent stoichiometry of the system.
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