Atom Economy

• What is the main aim of chemical reactions in commercial production?

  To make useful products
• Why is it important for companies to quantify waste products in industrial processes?

  To know how much of the reactants will form useful products
• What is the term used to describe the percentage of reactants that form useful products?

  Atom economy
• How is atom economy calculated?

  By dividing the relative formula mass of the desired product by the total relative formula masses of all reactants and multiplying by 100
• If the relative formula mass of hydrogen is 2 and the total relative formula mass of the reactants is 46, what is the atom economy?

  $4.35\%$
• What does a low atom economy indicate about a chemical reaction?

  It means that a large percentage of reactants are converted into waste
• What is the atom economy of a reaction that produces ammonia as the only product?

  100%
• Why is it important to consider atom economy in chemical processes?

  • Raw materials are expensive
  • High waste production reduces profitability
  • Sustainability concerns with large reactant use
  • Waste disposal can be costly and environmentally damaging
• What are some solutions to improve atom economy and reduce waste in chemical reactions?

  Use more efficient reactions or find uses for waste products
• What other factors should be considered when evaluating the profitability of a chemical reaction?


  • Percentage yield
  • Cost of raw materials
  • Position of equilibrium
  • Rate of reaction
  • Cost of maintaining conditions (temperature and pressure)