Calculations involving a limiting reactant


Now consider a situation in which 20.0 g of P4 is added to 54.0 g of Cl2, and a chemical reaction occurs. To identify the limiting reactant, you will need to perform two separate calculations:

1) Calculate the number of moles of PCl5 that can be produced from 20.0 g of P4 (and excess Cl2).

2) Calculate the number of moles of PCl5 that can be produced from 54.0 g of Cl2 (and excess P4).

Then, compare the two values. The reactant that produces the smaller amount of product is the limiting reactant.