3.

4 Reacting quantities
OCR Chemistry A Teacher notes

Atom economy

Specification reference
 2.1.3 g) (ii)
 M0.2 Use ratios, fractions and percentages
 M2.2 Change the subject of an equation
 M2.3 Substitute numerical values into algebraic equations using appropriate units for
physical quantities
 M2.4 Solve algebraic equations

Learning outcomes
After completing the worksheet students should be able to:
 calculate the atom economy of a reaction using balanced equations
 rearrange and solve equations involving atom economy calculations.
This worksheet builds on understanding from Topic 3.4: Reacting quantities and Topic 3.5:
Percentage yield and atom economy.

Introduction
This task requires the students to apply their understanding of percentages to determine the
atom economy of a reaction.

Teacher notes
 In some instances the students are expected to produce balanced symbol equations for the
reactions discussed. It may be worth directing them back to ‘3.4 Calculation sheet: Balancing
equations’ worksheet if they are struggling with this skill.
 In the final question the students are asked to compare the two common methods for the
acylation of salicylic acid to produce aspirin. This will present an opportunity to discuss which
method is preferred based on the amount of waste produced and in turn, how the atom economy
of acylation with ethanoyl chloride could be improved.

Maths skills links to other areas

The students will need to be able to calculate percentages when determining the percentage
yield of a reaction and when determining the percentage purity of a substance.

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 3.4 Reacting quantities
OCR Chemistry A Teacher notes

Answers
1 a Sum of molar masses of desired product (hydrogen)  3  2.0 g mol−1
 6.0 g  mol−1
Sum of molar masses of all products  (1   28.0 g mol−1)  (3   2.0 g mol−1)
 34.0 g  mol−1

Percentage atom economy   100%

 17.6%
(1 mark for correct calculation, 1 mark for answer)
b Sum of molar masses of desired product (titanium)  1   47.9 g mol−1  47.9 g
Sum of molar masses of all products  (1  47.9 g mol–1)  (2  190.6 g mol–1)  238.5 g mol–1

Percentage atom economy   100%  20.1%

(1 mark for correct calculation, 1 mark for answer)

c) Sum of molar masses of desired product (copper)  2  63.5 g mol–1  127.0 g mol–1

Sum of molar masses of all products  (2  63.5 g mol–1)  (3  44.0 g mol–1)  259.0 g mol–1

Percentage atom economy   100%  49.0%

(1 mark for correct calculation, 1 mark for answer)

d) Zn  2 HCl  ZnCl2  H2 (1 mark for equation)

Sum of molar masses of desired product (hydrogen)  1  2.0 g mol–1  2.0 g mol–1
Sum of molar masses of all products  (1  136.4 g mol–1)  (1  2.0 g mol–1)  138.4 g mol–1

Percentage atom economy   100%  1.45%

(1 mark for correct calculation, 1 mark for answer)

2 C6H12O6  2 C2H5OH  2 CO2 (1 mark for equation)

Sum of molar masses of desired product (ethanol)  2  46.0 g mol–1  92.0 g mol–1
Sum of molar masses of all products  (2  46.0 g mol–1)  (2  44.0 g mol–1)  180.0 g mol–1

Percentage atom economy   100%  51.1%

(1 mark for correct calculation, 1 mark for answer)

3 Acylation with ethanoyl chloride;

C7H6O3  C2H3OCl  C9H8O4  HCl
Sum of molar masses of desired product (aspirin)  1  180.0 g mol–1  180.0 g mol–1
Sum of molar masses of all products  (1  180.0 g mol–1)  (1  36.5 g mol–1)  216.5 g mol–1

Percentage atom economy   100%  83.1% (1 mark)

Acylation with ethanoic anhydride;

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 3.4 Reacting quantities
OCR Chemistry A Teacher notes

C7H6O3  C4H6O3  C9H8O4  CH3COOH

Sum of molar masses of desired product (aspirin)  1  180.0 g mol–1  180.0 g mol–1
Sum of molar masses of all products  (1  180.0 g mol–1)  (1  60.0 g mol–1)  240.0 g mol–1

Percentage atom economy   100%  75.0% (1 mark)

The production of aspirin by the acylation of aspirin with ethanoic anhydride has the lower
atom economy. (1 mark)

4 From OCR Chemistry A Chains, energy and resources Mark scheme F322 January 2011
(Question 2)

Answer Marks Guidance

(Mr of all reactants or Mr of all products) 2 Remember the marks are for the working out and
is 134.0 OR 134 not for the answer
OR IGNORE lack of decimal place in answer
(Mr of desired product) is 116.0 OR 116 ALLOW correct expressions to calculate the Mr or
the atom economy eg

© Oxford University Press 2015 www.oxfordsecondary.co.uk/acknowledgements

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