Question

In determining the mole ratios in a chemical reaction with OCL- and S2032- the mole ratio is 4:1 how would you determine the limiting reactant in each trial

Trials had different amouns of each reactant 1:4 then 4:1 3:7 then 7:3

what would be the balanced chemical reaction between the 2 reagents?

Answer 1

The balanced chemical reaction will be -

4OCl + S2O3 -> 4Cl + SO3 + SO2 + O2

To determine the limiting reagent we will find the ratio of moles taken and moles present in balanced chemical reaction and find the smallest ratio.Limitng reagent will have the smaller ratio.

In trial #1 OCl = 1/4 = 0.25 , S2O3 = 4/1 = 4 So, limiting reagent will be OCl

In trial #2 OCl = 4/4 = 1 , S2O3 = 1/1 = 1 So, no limiting reagent.

In trial #3 OCl = 7/4 = 1.75 , S2O3 = 3/1 = 3 So, limiting reagent will be OCl