Question

If salicylic acid (138 u) reacts with acetic anhydride (102 u) to from aspirin (180 u) calculate % atom economy.

Options

• 25 %

• 50 %

• 65 %

• 75 %

Answer 1

75 %

Explanation:

% atom economy = \[\frac{\text{Formula weight of the desired product}}{\text{Sum of formula weight of all the reactants used in the reaction}}\times100\text{}\]

\[=\frac{180}{138+102}\times100\]

= 0.75 × 100 = 75 %