Question

Write the balanced chemical equation for the complete combustion of each of the following compounds:

a. methanol

b.$2-$butanol

Short answer

a. The balanced chemical equation for the complete combustion of Methanol is:-

$$\begin{gathered} 2{\mathrm{CH}}_3\mathrm{OH}\left(\mathrm{l}\right)+3{\mathrm{O}}_2\left(\mathrm{g}\right)\to 2{\mathrm{CO}}_2\left(\mathrm{g}\right)+4{\mathrm{H}}_2\mathrm{O}\left(\mathrm{l}\right) \\ \mathrm{Methanol}\mathrm{air}\mathrm{Carbon}\mathrm{Water} \\ \left(\mathrm{Oxygen}\right)\mathrm{dioxide} \end{gathered}$$

b. The balanced chemical equation for the complete combustion of $2-$butanol is:-

$$\begin{gathered} 2{\mathrm{CH}}_3-\mathrm{CH}-{\mathrm{OHCH}}_2-{\mathrm{CH}}_3\left(\mathrm{l}\right)+12{\mathrm{O}}_2\left(\mathrm{g}\right)\to 8{\mathrm{CO}}_2\left(\mathrm{g}\right)+10{\mathrm{H}}_2\mathrm{O}\left(\mathrm{l}\right) \\ 2-\mathrm{butanol}\mathrm{air}\mathrm{Carbon}\mathrm{Water} \\ \left(\mathrm{Oxygen}\right)\mathrm{dioxide} \end{gathered}$$

Step-by-step solution

Part(a) Step 1: Given information

We need to find out the balanced chemical equation for the complete combustion of methanol.

Part(a) Step 2: Explanation

Alcohols are combustible due to the presence of a hydrocarbon chain. Alcohols totally combust in the presence of oxygen to produce carbon dioxide and water. They did not combust completely when oxygen is scant, delivering water and either carbon monoxide or carbon (ash).

Combustion reaction of Methanol:-

$$\begin{gathered} 2{\mathrm{CH}}_3\mathrm{OH}\left(\mathrm{l}\right)+3{\mathrm{O}}_2\left(\mathrm{g}\right)\to 2{\mathrm{CO}}_2\left(\mathrm{g}\right)+4{\mathrm{H}}_2\mathrm{O}\left(\mathrm{l}\right) \\ \mathrm{Methanol}\mathrm{air}\mathrm{Carbon}\mathrm{Water} \\ \left(\mathrm{Oxygen}\right)\mathrm{dioxide} \end{gathered}$$

Part(b) Step 1: Given information

We need to find out the balanced chemical equation for the complete combustion of $2-$butanol.

Part(b) Step 2: Explanation

Alcohols are combustible due to the presence of a hydrocarbon chain. Alcohols totally combust in the presence of oxygen to produce carbon dioxide and water. They did not combust completely when oxygen is scant, delivering water and either carbon monoxide or carbon (ash).

Combustion reaction of $2-$butanol:-

$$\begin{gathered} 2{\mathrm{CH}}_3-\mathrm{CH}-{\mathrm{OHCH}}_2-{\mathrm{CH}}_3\left(\mathrm{l}\right)+12{\mathrm{O}}_2\left(\mathrm{g}\right)\to 8{\mathrm{CO}}_2\left(\mathrm{g}\right)+10{\mathrm{H}}_2\mathrm{O}\left(\mathrm{l}\right) \\ 2-\mathrm{butanol}\mathrm{air}\mathrm{Carbon}\mathrm{Water} \\ \left(\mathrm{Oxygen}\right)\mathrm{dioxide} \end{gathered}$$