Chloroform, CHCl3, reacts with chlorine, Cl2, to form carbon tetrachloride, CCl4, and hydrogen chloride, HCl. In an experiment 25 grams of chloroform and 25 grams of chlorine were mixed. Which is the limiting reactant? What is the maximum yield of CCl4 in moles and in grams?

Chloroform = limiting reactant

0.209mol of CCl4 is formed

And 32.186g of CCl4 is formed

Explanation:

The equation of reaction

CHCl3 + Cl2 = CCl4 + HCl

From the equation 1 mol of

CHCl3 reacts with 1mol Cl2 to yield 1mol of CCl4

From the question

25g of CHCl3 really with Cl2

Molar mass of CHCl3 = 119.5

Molar mass of Cl2 = 71

Hence moles of CHCl3 = 25/119.5 = 0.209mol

Moles of Cl2 = 25/71 = 0.352mol

Hence CHCl3 is the limiting reactant

Since 1 mole of CHCl3 gave 1mol of CCl4

It implies that 0.209moles of CHCl3 will also give 0.209mol of CCl4

Mass of CCl4 formed = moles * molar mass = 0.209*154 = 32.186g