How is Le Chatelier's principle used to treat CO poisoning?

Question

Serenity Allen · Accepted Answer

Breathing pure oxygen shifts the position of equilibrium to remove carbon monoxide from the red blood cells.

The associated equilibria In a reversible process, dissolved oxygen in the blood binds to hemoglobin in red blood cells. #"Hb(aq)" + "4O"_2("aq") ⇌ "Hb"("O"_2)_4("aq")# Compared to oxygen, carbon monoxide binds to hemoglobin even more firmly: #"Hb(aq) + 4CO(aq)" ⇌ "Hb(CO)"_4(aq)# The equation that results from adding the second equation and reversing the first one is #"Hb"("O"_2)_4("aq") + "4CO(aq)" ⇌ "Hb(CO)"_4("aq") + "4O"_2("aq") # The point of equilibrium is on the right because the bonds that bind hemoglobin to carbon monoxide are around 300 times stronger than those that bind oxygen. The red colour of the predominant #"Hb(CO)"_4# causes the characteristic cherry red skin colour of carbon monoxide poisoning. There is not enough oxyhemoglobin in the body to support vital functions. Le Châtelier's Principle in Practice Purified oxygen given to the patient can cure the illness. According to Le Châtelier's Principle, a system in equilibrium will shift in the direction of the stress removal if a stress is applied to it. #"Hb"("O"_2)_4("aq") + "4CO(aq)" ⇌ "Hb(CO)"_4("aq") + 4"O"_2 ("aq") # If you increase the concentration of #"O"_2#, the system will try to decrease the concentration of #"O"_2#. The position of equilibrium will shift to the left and produce more #"Hb"("O"_2)_4#. It's possible for the patient to survive. The procedure moves slowly. It takes about 74 min to remove half of the #"CO"# by breathing pure #"O"_2#, compared to 320 min with normal air. The chances of survival improve greatly if the patient can be transported to a hyperbaric chamber and breathe pressurized #"O"_2#. As a result, the equilibrium point is moved even farther to the left.

Cooper Anderson · Answer

undefined Le Chatelier's principle is utilized in the treatment of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning by administering oxygen (O2) therapy. By increasing the concentration of oxygen in the patient's bloodstream, Le Chatelier's principle states that the equilibrium between oxygen and carbon monoxide shifts towards the formation of more oxyhemoglobin (HbO2), reducing the concentration of carbon monoxide bound to hemoglobin and facilitating its elimination from the body.