You perform a Diels-Alder reaction using 2.0 g butadiene sulfone (MW=118.15
g/mol), 1.2 g maleic anhydride (MW=98.06 g/mol) and 0.8 mL xylenes
(MW=318.5 g/mol, density=0.862 g/mL). What is the theoretical yield of the
reaction?
A. 0.017 mols
B. 0.052 mols
C. 0.012 mols
D. 0.15 mols
E. 0.002 mols
To calculate the theoretical yield of a reaction, you need to determine the limiting reagent. The limiting reagent is the reactant that is completely consumed and determines the maximum amount of product that can be formed.
First, let's convert the given masses of the reactants to moles:
For butadiene sulfone:
Mass = 2.0 g
Molar mass = 118.15 g/mol
Number of moles = Mass / Molar mass = 2.0 g / 118.15 g/mol
For maleic anhydride:
Mass = 1.2 g
Molar mass = 98.06 g/mol
Number of moles = Mass / Molar mass = 1.2 g / 98.06 g/mol
Next, let's convert the volume of xylenes to mass using its density:
Density = 0.862 g/mL
Volume = 0.8 mL
Mass = Density x Volume = 0.862 g/mL x 0.8 mL
Now, let's calculate the molar mass of xylenes:
Molar mass = 318.5 g/mol
Number of moles = Mass / Molar mass
Now, we need to compare the number of moles of each reactant to determine the limiting reagent. The reactant with the smallest number of moles is the limiting reagent.
After finding the limiting reagent, we look at the balanced chemical equation for the reaction to determine the mole ratio between the limiting reagent and the product. The coefficient in front of the limiting reagent in the balanced chemical equation represents this ratio.
Finally, we multiply the mole ratio by the number of moles of the limiting reagent to find the theoretical yield of the reaction. This theoretical yield is the value that matches one of the answer choices.
Without knowing the balanced chemical equation for the Diels-Alder reaction, it is not possible to calculate the theoretical yield or select one of the answer choices. Please provide the balanced chemical equation to proceed with the calculation.