Question

28 moles of butane and 228 moles of oxygen are used in the

following reaction. Identify the limiting reagent.
C4H8 + O2 + CO2 + H2O

-butane
-oxygen
-either of the two reactants can be used as a limiting reagent
-none of the above

Answer 1

O₂ as a limiting reactant

Further explanation

Given

28 moles of butene

228 moles of Oxygen

Required

Limiting reactant

Solution

We use the basis for the given reaction because for the name butane it should have the formula C₄H₁₀, while C₄H₈ is butene

Reaction(balanced)

C₄H₈ + 6 O₂ → 4 CO₂ + 4 H₂O

Find limitng reactant from mol : coefficient of reactants

C₄H₈ : 28 : 1 = 28

O₂ : 228 : 6 = 38

O₂ as a limiting reactant (smaller ratio)