Aspirin (C9H8O4) is synthesized by the reaction of salicylic acid (C7H6O3) with acetic anhydride, C4H6O3.

Question

2C7H6O3 + C4H6O3 −→ 2C9H8O4 + H2O
When 19 g of C7H6O3 and 19 g of C4H6O3
react, which is the limiting reagent?

Answer 1

mols SA = 19/molar mass SA.
mols AA = 19/molar mass AA.

Convert mols of SA to mols of aspirin (use the coefficients in the equation).
Convert mols AA to mols of aspirin(use the coefficients here too).
The reagent giving the smallest number for mols aspirin is the limiting reagent and the smallest number is the correct value for mols aspirin formed in the reaction.

Answer 2

How do you convert it to moles of asprin?

Answer 3

Use the coefficients in the balanced equation.
mols SA x (2 mols aspirin/2 mols SA) = mols SA x 2/2 = ? mols aspirin.

mols AA x (2 mols aspirin/1 mol AA) = mols AA x 2/1 = ? mols aspirin.