Atom economy

• Why is it important to maximise atom economy in industrial processes?

  To conserve the earth's resources and minimise pollution
• % atom economy = Mr of desired product/sum of Mr of reactants x 100
• What does this mean if the atom economy have to be close to 100% as you can?


  Means that you are not producing waste materials that you have to dispose of. It will also increase your profits.
• When lead is extracted from its ore, the first stage is roasting lead sulphide to convert it to lead oxide

  2PbS + 30(2) -> 2PbO + 2SO. Calculate the percentage atom economy. ( part 1)

  Mr of PbO = ( 1 x Pb ) +( 1 x O ) = (9 1 x 207 1 x 207 ) + ( 1 x 16 ) = 223

  Mr of PbS = ( 1 x Pb ) + ( 1 x 32 ) = ( 1 x 207 ) + ( 1 x 32 ) = 239

  Mr of O2 = ( 2 x O ) = ( 2 x 16 ) = 32
• When lead is extracted from its ore, the first stage is roasting lead sulphide to convert it to lead oxide

  2PbS + 30(2) -> 2PbO + 2SO. Calculate the percentage atom economy. (part 2) 


  % atom economy = ( 2 x 223 )/( 2 x 239 ) x ( 3 x 32) x 100

  = 446/574 x 100 = 77.7%