Answer to Question #112962 in Chemistry for ximena

Question

Determine the limiting reactant when 4.2 mol Fe(OH)3 reacts with 6.5 mol H2SO4 in the following reaction.

2 Fe(OH)3 + 3 H2SO4 --> Fe2(SO4)3 + 6 H2O

Answer 1

2 Fe(OH)₃ + 3 H₂SO₄ --> Fe₂(SO₄)₃ + 6 H₂O

Numbers of moles of each reactant must be devided by coefficients to find the limiting reactant:

n(Fe(OH)₃) = 4.2 mol / 2 = 2.1 mol

n(H₂SO₄) = 6.5 mol / 3 = 2.17 mol

As number of moles of Fe(OH)₃ is smaller (2.1 compared to 2.17), Fe(OH)₃ is the limiting reactant.

Answer: Fe(OH)3 is the limiting reactant.