Choosing a Reaction Pathway Flashcards

All 5 cards in this deck

Which five types of data are used to justify the choice of a reaction pathway for making a product?

Atom economy, percentage yield, rate of reaction, position of equilibrium and usefulness of the by-products.

True or false? The reaction pathway with the highest percentage yield is always the one chosen in industry.

False. Atom economy, rate, equilibrium position and useful by-products are also considered.

Why might a pathway with a lower atom economy still be chosen?

Because its by-products are useful and can be sold or used elsewhere, so little is wasted.

When comparing pathways, what does a position of equilibrium far to the right indicate?

More of the reactants are converted to products, giving a higher yield.

When choosing a reaction pathway, why is a fast rate of reaction an advantage?

More product is made in a given time, lowering production costs.