Problems Based on Equations: Stoichiometry 23

Concept of Limiting Reagent

In single-reactant reactions, the calculations are carried out with only that
amount of the reactant which has converted to the product. This is done in
all the methods mentioned above.
In the reactions where more than one reactant is involved, one has to
first identify the limiting reactant, i.e., the reactant which is completely consumed.
All calculations are to be carried out with the amount of the limiting reactant
only. Now the question is how to identify the limiting reactant? The procedure is
simple as illustrated below:
Initially 5 moles 12 moles 0 moles
A  2B  4C
If A is the limiting reactant: moles of C produced = 20.
If B is the limiting reactant: moles of C produced = 24.
The reactant producing the least number of moles of the product is the limiting
reactant and hence A is the limiting reactant. Thus,
Initially  5 moles 12 moles 0 moles
A  2B  4C
Finally  0 moles 2 moles 20 moles
The limiting reactant can also be ascertained by knowing the initial
number of equivalents (or milli-equivalents) of each reactant. The reactant with
the least number of equivalents (or milli-equivalents) is the limiting reactant. The
equivalent method to identify the limiting reactant can be applied even if the
chemical equation is not balanced.
However, in the following examples we shall mainly follow the POAC method,
just for the practice of this modern concept.
[Note: In problems involving complicated reactions in which their balanced
chemical equations are given, one should prefer to apply the mole method
rather than the m.e. method as followed in Example 50 in Ch. 7.]

EXAMPLES

Ex. 1. What amount of CaO will be produced by 1 g of calcium?

Solution : Ca  CaO
Applying POAC for Ca atoms as Ca atoms are conserved,
moles of Ca atoms in the reactant
 moles of Ca atoms in the product
 moles of Ca atoms in CaO  1  moles of CaO
(B 1 mole of CaO contains 1 mole of Ca atoms)
wt. of Ca wt. of CaO

at. wt. of Ca mol. wt. of CaO
(Rule 2) (Rule 1)