Topic 3C: Atom Economy and Yield

Monday 13th of April ‘20

3.3.1) Atom Economy

What is Atom Economy?

Lots of reactions make more than one product. Some of them are useful and others
aren’t useful. The atom economy of a reaction tells you what percentage of the mass of
the reactants ends up as useful products when manufacturing a chemical. From this you
can also work out the percentage that is wasted. An atom economy of 100% means that
all of the atoms have been turned into useful product.

Calculating Atom Economy

Relative Formula Mass of Desired Products

Atom Economy = × 100
Relative Formula Mass of All Reactants

Calculate the atom economy of the following reaction to produce hydrogen.

CH4 + H2O  CO + 3H2

M r of C H 4 =12+ ( 4 × 1 )=16

M r of H 2 O=16+ ( 2× 1 )=18

M r of Hydrogen=1

D
AE= ×100
A

3 ×2
¿ × 100
16+18

¿ 18 %

Calculate the atom economy of the following reaction to produce MgCl2.

MgO + 2HCl  MgCl + H2O
 Topic 3C: Atom Economy and Yield

Monday 13th of April ‘20

M r of MgO=24 +16=40

M r of HCl=1+35.5=36.5

M r of MgCl 2=24+ ( 2 ×35.5 )=95

D
AE= ×100
A

95
¿ ×100
(36.5 ×2)+40

¿ 84 %

Advantages of a High Atom Economy

Reactions with a low atom economy aren’t usually very profitable. This is as they need
more raw materials to produce a certain amount of product compared to desired
product. Companies want to spend as little as they can on waste material. They cant
spend money on products that won’t earn them any money. Companies always try and
look for processes that are more efficient and have a higher atom economy.