THEORITECAL YIELD

The theoretical yield is the amount of a given product one would expect
be produced based solely on the molar ratios and the amount of each
starting material.
The starting materials may be present in amounts that do not match the
molar ratios in the chemical equation.
When this is the case, one of the reactants is a limiting reactant
(or limiting reagent) and the other reactant (s) is/are said to be
in excess.
An excess reactant is one that is not completely used up
when the reaction is complete.
The limiting reactant is the one that will be used up
before any of the others.
Because of this, the moles of the limiting reactant are
what determine the theoretical yield of a reaction
To find the theoretical yield of a reaction, use the number of moles of the
limiting reactant only in calculating the amount of a given product produce.
Example 1:
Calculate the theoretical yield of AlF3 obtained from 0.45 mole of Al in the
reaction.

2 Al + 3 F2 2AlF3

Solution :
Convert moles Al to grams AlF3.
Step 1: The mole ratio is:
2 moles of AlF3 (yield)
2 moles Al (given)

Step 2: A mole-gram conversion will be necessary to convert the answer in grams.
Use 1 mole AlF3 = 84 g AlF3
Step 3: Use the conversion factor method to get the grams of:
2 moles AlF3 84.0 g of AlF3
0.45 mole of Al x x = 37.8 g AlF3
2 moles Al 1 mole of AlF3