An organic compound A can decompose by either of two kinetically controlled pathways to form product B or C (see Exercise 7.1). The activation energy for the formation of B is greater than that for the formation of C. Will the ratio [B]/[C] increase or decrease as the temperature is increased? Explain your answer.

Exercise 7.1

In some reactions, two or more different products can be formed. If the product formed by the fastest reaction predominates, the reaction is considered to be under “kinetic control.” If the predominant product is the most thermodynamically stable, the reaction is considered to be under “thermodynamic control.” In the reaction of HBr with the reactive intermediate CH₃CHPCHCH₂⁺, at low temperatures the predominant product is CH₃CHBrCHPCH₂, but at high temperatures, the predominant product is CH₃CHPCHCH₂Br.