Q. no. 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 2.1 2.2 2.3 3.1 3.1 3.

3 Total

Point 1 1 1 4 4 1 2 3 2 1 20

Problem #2: Inorganic Catalysts

by [DeveshBhaiya#9695]

Inorganic catalysts are used in a wide variety of chemical reactions. They can help to
speed up the reaction, improve the yield of the product, or reduce the amount of
energy required. Inorganic catalysts are often used in industrial processes, such as the
production of ammonia, nitric acid, acetic acid and plastics.

Part I

The Monsanto process is an industrial method for the manufacture of acetic acid by
catalytic carbonylation of methanol. It was developed in 1960 by the German chemical
company, BASF, and improved by the Monsanto Company in 1966, which introduced a
new catalyst system.

The catalytic cycle involves two non-organometallic steps: the conversion of methanol
to methyl iodide and the hydrolysis of the acetyl iodide to acetic acid and hydrogen
iodide.
The Monsanto process is a major industrial method for the manufacture of acetic acid.
It is estimated that about 90% of the acetic acid produced in the world is produced
using the Monsanto process.

Q.1.1: Write the balanced reaction for the production of Acetic Acid by the Monsanto
Process.

Q1.2: Which of the following is/are needed in Stoichiometric Amount?

a) HI
 b) H2O
c) [Rh(CO)2I2]-
d) CH3OH
e) CH3I
f) CO

Q.1.3: Calculate oxidation state of metal in each complex. (A-D)

Q 1.4: Count the number of electrons in the outermost orbital of each complex (A-D)
(i.e. number of electrons in ns2(n-1)d10np6). [For example there are 18 in Fe(CO)5]. Show
calculation.
Part II

This catalytic cycle shows a homogeneous catalyst. Homogeneous catalysts

can help in better understanding mechanisms, since we can perform kinetic
experiments with them.
This catalytic diagram shows the reduction of unsaturated carboxylic acids.

Q. 2.1: Write the rates of formation of E1, E2, H2, unsaturated carboxylic acid and
saturated carboxylic acid. Assume that the rate of formations of E1 and E2 are
zero(since they are catalysts) then find the rate of formation of saturated carboxylic
acids in terms of H2 and unsaturated carboxylic acid.
Rate constants for reactions 1 and 2 are k1 and k2 respectively. Assume rates of
backward reactions to be negligible. Let total enzyme concentration be [E]0. You can
use concentrations of H2 and unsaturated carboxylic acid and saturated carboxylic
acid.
Q 2.2: The catalyst E1 also reacts very readily with oxygen gas to form water. Write the
balanced reaction for this conversion. So the above catalytic cycle has to be done in a
non oxygen environment.
This reaction works well because the catalyst is in the form of a “cationic cluster”.

This diagram shows the

enzymes E2 and E1 respectively. Big sphere represents Ruthenium, the small sphere
represents hydride. Arenes are not shown for clarity.

Q 2.3: What is the oxidation state of Ruthenium in E1 and E2?

Part III

Organometallic catalysts are generally very expensive. So, for homogeneous catalysts,
we need to extract them from the organic medium.

Suppose a catalyst A (20,000 $/mole) is used for a lab scale reaction. 1 liter of organic
medium with a catalyst (product is removed) is to be extracted. This is achieved by
mixing 1 liter of organic solvent and 1 liter of water in a separating funnel and then after
it comes in an equilibrium, aqueous phase is removed and kept safe aside. Then again
the same process is applied to 1 liter of organic layer (now diluted but assuming
volume to be the same) and so on. 1 liter of lab grade water costs 1.00$/liter. For
catalyst A partition coefficient is 9.00.

[𝐴]𝑜𝑟𝑔𝑎𝑛𝑖𝑐
Partition coefficient(D)= [𝐴]𝑎𝑞𝑢𝑒𝑜𝑢𝑠
=9.00

Q 3.1) If the organic medium contains catalyst A at a concentration of 0.00100 M of

catalyst, then how many extractions should be done in order to gain the highest
possible profit?
Q 3.2) How much maximum profit can one gain?
Q 3.3) According to the answer of 3.2 and other reasons, why heterogeneous catalysts
are preferred over homogeneous catalysts.