Question

When propanol (C

3
​
H
7
​
OH) is burned in excess oxygen, what is/are the product(s) of this reaction? When butanol (C
4
​
H
9
​
OH) is burned in oxygen, CO
2
​
and H
2
​
O are the products. What is the coefficient in front of the O
2
​
in the balanced equation (using only whole numbers and the lowest whole number ratio)?

Answer 1

The products of the combustion of propanol are carbon dioxide and water, with the balanced equation 2C3H7OH + 9O2 → 6CO2 + 8H2O. The products of the combustion of butanol are also carbon dioxide and water, with the balanced equation 2C4H9OH + 13O2 → 8CO2 + 10H2O. The coefficients in front of O2 are 9 for propanol and 13 for butanol.

Step-by-step explanation:

When propanol (C3H7OH) is burned in excess oxygen, the products of the reaction are carbon dioxide (CO2) and water (H2O). The balanced equation for this reaction is:

2C3H7OH + 9O2 → 6CO2 + 8H2O

When butanol (C4H9OH) is burned in oxygen, the products of the reaction are carbon dioxide (CO2) and water (H2O). The balanced equation for this reaction is:

2C4H9OH + 13O2 → 8CO2 + 10H2O

In both equations, the coefficient in front of O2 is 9 for propanol and 13 for butanol.