Answer to Question #188320 in Organic Chemistry for ifrah Issack

Question

Consider the combustion reaction of the simple alkane, octane (C8H18), which is a major component of gasoline (the octane rating on the pump is a measure of the proportion of 8-carbon constitutional isomers to other alkanes in gasoline). Balance the combustion reaction of octane below: C8H18 + O2  H2O + CO2 2. (3 points) If one gallon of octane is burned with perfect efficiency, how many molecules of CO2 will be generated? (the density of octane is 0.703 g/mL; 1.00 gallon = 3.79 liters) 3. (3 points) If the half-life of CO2 in the atmosphere is 27 years, how long will it take for the CO2 released to be reduced by 75%?

Answer 1

Write a correctly balanced equation for the complete combustion of octane:

$2C_8H_{18} + 25O_2 ==> 16CO_2 + 18H_2O$