Nitrobenzene (C6H5NO2) is used in small quantities as a flavoring agent or in perfumes but can be toxic in large amounts. It is produced by reaction of benzene (C6H6) with nitric acid:C6H6(l) + HNO3(aq) → C6H5NO2(l) + H2O(l)Calculate the theoretical yield for this reaction.

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the balanced chemical equation for the reaction: C6H6(l) + HNO3(aq) → C6H5NO2(l) + H2O(l).
2. Determine the molar masses of the reactants and products: C6H6, HNO3, C6H5NO2, and H2O.
3. Calculate the moles of benzene (C6H6) and nitric acid (HNO3) available using their respective masses and molar masses.
4. Identify the limiting reactant by comparing the mole ratio of the reactants to the coefficients in the balanced equation.
5. Use the moles of the limiting reactant to calculate the moles of nitrobenzene (C6H5NO2) produced, then convert this to grams using the molar mass of C6H5NO2 to find the theoretical yield.

Key Concepts

Stoichiometry

Stoichiometry is the branch of chemistry that deals with the quantitative relationships between the reactants and products in a chemical reaction. It involves using balanced chemical equations to determine the amounts of substances consumed and produced. In this case, understanding stoichiometry is essential to calculate the theoretical yield of nitrobenzene from benzene and nitric acid.

Theoretical Yield

Theoretical yield refers to the maximum amount of product that can be generated from a given amount of reactants, assuming complete conversion and no losses. It is calculated based on the stoichiometry of the balanced chemical equation. In this reaction, determining the theoretical yield of nitrobenzene requires knowing the initial amounts of benzene and nitric acid used.

Limiting Reactant

The limiting reactant is the substance that is completely consumed first in a chemical reaction, thus determining the maximum amount of product formed. Identifying the limiting reactant is crucial for calculating the theoretical yield, as it dictates how much of the product can be produced. In the reaction between benzene and nitric acid, one of these reactants will limit the formation of nitrobenzene.