URGENT: If 2.24g of salicylic acid is reacted with 61mL methanol, what is the maximum mass of product that could be formed? The density of methanol is 0.791g/mL.

Do I just multiply 61ml by 0.791g/ml
to get 48.251 g methanol then multiply this by the 2.24g of salicylic acid?

2 answers

No, this is a limiting reagent problem.
1. Write the equation and balance it.
2a. Convert 2.24 g salicylic acid to moles. moles = grams/molar mass.
2b. Convert 61 mL methanol to grams (as you suggested with the density), then to moles.

3a. Using the coefficients in the balanced, convert moles salicylic acid to moles of the product.
3b. Same procedure, convert moles methanol to moles of the product.
3c. It is likely that moles of the product from 3a and 3b will be different. Obviously, one is incorrect. The correct one is ALWAYS the smaller value in limiting reagent problems and the reagent giving that number is the limiting reagent.
4. Now take the smaller value from 3c and convert to grams. grams = moles x molar mass. That will be the theoretical yield of the reaction assuming 100% yield.
Thank you that was very helpful!!!