Question

How do I determine theoretical yield with 20mmol of propionic acid and 13.14mmol isopropyl alcohol?

Answer 1

Ans. #Step 1: Balanced Reaction:

Following stoichiometry of balanced reaction, 1 mol propionic acid reacts with 1 mol isopropanol (isopropyl alcohol) to form 1 mol isopropyl propionate.

# Theoretical molar ratio of reactants: Propionic acid : isopropanol = 1 : 1

# Experimental molar ratio of reactants: Propionic acid : isopropanol

= 20 mmol : 13.14 mmol = 1 : 0.657

# Comparing the theoretical and experimental molar ratios of the reactions, the experimental moles of isopropyl alcohol is less than 1 while that of propionic acid is kept constant at 1. Hence, isopropyl alcohol is the limiting reactant.

# Step 2: Formation of product follows the stoichiometry of the limiting reactant.

So, Theoretical moles of product (isopropyl propionate) formed = 13.14 mmol = moles of limiting reactant (isopropyl alcohol).

Now,

Theoretical moles of product (isopropyl propionate) = 13.14 mmol = 0.01314 mol

Theoretical yield (mass) = Theoretical moles x Molar mass

= 0.01314 mol x 116.16 g mol^-1 =1.52634 g = 1526.34 mg