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A sterically unhindered alcohol and a sterically unhindered carboxylic acid are allowed to react in the presence of sulfuric acid. If a 1:3 or 3:1 mole ratio of carboxylic acid to alcohol is used, what is the maximum % yield of ester that may be isolated?

a) 33.33%
b) 66.67%
c) 100%
d) 25%

User Otium
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1 Answer

3 votes

Final answer:

The maximum % yield of an ester formed from a sterically unhindered alcohol and carboxylic acid can be determined using the mole ratio. The theoretical yield can be calculated using stoichiometry and compared to the actual yield to obtain the percent yield.

Step-by-step explanation:

The maximum % yield of an ester that can be isolated from the reaction of a sterically unhindered alcohol and a sterically unhindered carboxylic acid can be determined using the mole ratio of the carboxylic acid to alcohol. In this case, a 1:3 or 3:1 mole ratio is used. The mole ratio represents the maximum amount of product that can be formed. In a 1:3 mole ratio, if 1 mole of carboxylic acid is used, then 3 moles of ester can be formed. Similarly, in a 3:1 mole ratio, if 3 moles of carboxylic acid is used, then 1 mole of ester can be formed.

To calculate the maximum % yield, we need to compare the actual yield (1.17 L) to the theoretical yield (the maximum amount of ester that can be formed). The theoretical yield can be calculated using stoichiometry and the mole ratio. Once we have the theoretical yield, we can divide the actual yield by the theoretical yield and multiply by 100 to get the percent yield.

Therefore, the answer is 100% (c).

User Nstoitsev
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