The reaction between carbon tetrachloride, CCl4, and water, H2O, to form carbon dioxide, CO2, and hydrogen chloride, HCl, has a ΔrG∘ value of −232 kJ mol−1, and so is thermodynamically favoured. But when you mix carbon tetrachloride with water, no change is observed. What is a possible explanation for this?

High activation energy is the reason behind unsuccessful reaction.

Explanation:

There are two types of reaction: (1) thermodynamically controlled reaction and (2) kinetically controlled reaction.

Thermodynamically controlled reaction are associated with change in enthalpy during reaction. More negative the enthalpy change, more favored will be the reaction.

Kinetically controlled reaction are associated with activation energy of a reaction. The lower the activation energy value, the more rapid will be the reaction.

Here, reaction between and is thermodynamically favored due to negative enthalpy change but the high activation energy does not allow the reaction to take place by simple mixing.