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An equimolar mixture of benzene and toluene is prepared. Discuss the process and implications of preparing an equimolar mixture of benzene and toluene.

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Final answer:

An equimolar mixture of benzene and toluene is mixed in equal molar amounts and approximates an ideal solution, obeying Raoult's law. The molecular formula of benzene is C6H6, based on its empirical formula CH and implying similar intermolecular forces and minimal enthalpy change. This mixture is useful in various chemical reactions, including electrophilic aromatic substitution.

Step-by-step explanation:

When preparing an equimolar mixture of benzene and toluene, the process involves mixing the two substances in equal molar amounts. This can be accomplished by calculating the moles of each substance based on their volumes and densities. For benzene (C6H6) and toluene (C6H5CH3), this would mean ensuring that the mixture has the same number of moles of each component. As both liquids are often used in organic chemistry labs, the preparation of such a mixture is commonly done.

In terms of implications, such a mixture will approximate an ideal solution because benzene and toluene have similar intermolecular forces, leading to minimal enthalpy change upon mixing (ΔHsoln ~ 0). Since they form an ideal solution, they obey Raoult's law, meaning the total vapor pressure of the mixture can be predicted from the vapor pressure of the pure components and their mole fractions in the mixture. This is particularly important in processes such as distillation, where the volatility of the mixture components is a key factor.

The molecular formula of benzene, which is C6H6, is determined based on the empirical formula (CH) and the molar mass. The prepared mixture of benzene and toluene can further be used for various chemical reactions, including electrophilic aromatic substitution reactions, which are fundamental for synthesizing many organic compounds.

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