One of the intermediates in the synthesis of glycine from ammonia, carbon dioxide, and methane is aminoacetonitrile, C2H4N2. The balanced chemical equation is as follows: 3CH4 (g) + 5CO2 (g) + 8NH3 (g) → 4C2H4N2 (g) + 10H2O (g)
How much C2H4N2 could be expected from the reaction of 13.5 grams of CO2, 2.21 grams of NH3, and 1.65 grams of CH4?

Mass of C₂H₄N₂ produced = 3.64 g

Explanation:

The balanced chemical equation for the reaction is given below:

3CH₄ (g) + 5CO₂ (g) + 8NH₃ (g) → 4C₂H₄N₂ (g) + 10H₂O (g)

From the equation, 3 moles of CH₄ reacts with 5 moles of CO₂ and 8 moles of NH₃ to produce 4 moles of C₂H₄N₂ and 10 moles of H₂O

Molar masses of the compounds are given below below:

CH₄ = 16 g/mol; CO₂ = 44 g/mol; NH3 = 17 g/mol; C₂H₄N₂ = 56 g/mol; H₂O g/mol

Comparing the mole ratios of the reacting masses;

CH₄ = 1.65/16 = 0.103

CO₂ = 13.5/44 = 0.307

NH₃ = 2.21/17 = 0.130

converting to whole number ratios by dividing with the smallest ratio

CH₄ = 0.103/0.103 = 1

CO₂ = 0.307/0.103 = 3

NH₃ = 0.130/0.103 = 1.3

Multiplying through with 5

CH₄ = 1 × 5 = 5

CO₂ = 3 × 5 = 15

NH₃ = 1.3 × 5 = 6.5

Therefore, the limiting reactant is NH₃

8 × 17 g (136 g) of NH₃ reacts to produce 4 × 56 g (224 g) of C₂H₄N₂

Therefore, 2.21 g of NH₃ will produce (2.21 × 224)/136 g of C₂H₄N₂ = 3.64 g of C₂H₄N₂

Mass of C₂H₄N₂ produced = 3.64 g