Atom economy

Question 1

The atom economy of a reaction shows

Answer 1

how many of the atoms used in the reaction become the desired product

The rest of the atoms or mass is wasted

Question 2

How is atom economy found

Answer 2

It is found directly from the balanced equation by calculating the Mr of the desired product

atom economy = molecular mass of desired product / sum of all of the molecular reactants x 100

Question 3

The atom economy could also be calculated using mass, instead or Mr
In this case, you would

Answer 3

you would divide the mass of the desired product formed by the total mass of all reactants, and then multiply by 100

Question 4

In addition reactions, the atom economy will always be 100%, because

Answer 4

all of the atoms are used to make the desired product

Whenever there is only one product, the atom economy will always be 100%

For example, in the reaction between ethene and bromine:
CH2=CH2 + Br2 → CH2BrCH2Br

Question 5

PRACTICE