Question

Three moles of \(\mathrm{B}_{2} \mathrm{H}_{6}\) are completely reacted with methanol. The number of moles of boron containing product formed is

Short answer

2 moles of boron containing product \(\mathrm{B} \left(\mathrm{OCH}_{3} \right)_{3}\) are formed.

Step-by-step solution

Identify the reaction

The complete reaction between diborane \(\mathrm{B}_{2} \mathrm{H}_{6}\) and methanol \(\mathrm{CH}_{3} \mathrm{OH}\) is as follows: \[3 \mathrm{B}_{2} \mathrm{H}_{6}+6 \mathrm{CH}_{3} \mathrm{OH} \rightarrow 2 \mathrm{B} \left(\mathrm{OCH}_{3} \right)_{3}+6 \mathrm{H}_{2}\]The reaction shows that 3 moles of \(\mathrm{B}_{2} \mathrm{H}_{6}\) produce 2 moles of \(\mathrm{B} \left(\mathrm{OCH}_{3} \right)_{3}\).

Calculate moles of product

If 3 moles of \(\mathrm{B}_{2} \mathrm{H}_{6}\) react completely, then according to the reaction stoichiometry, the number of moles of boron containing product \(\mathrm{B} \left(\mathrm{OCH}_{3} \right)_{3}\) formed will be 2 moles.

Key concepts

Reaction Stoichiometry

Reaction stoichiometry is the heart of chemical reaction calculations. It quantifies the relationship between reactants and products in a chemical reaction. Just as a recipe specifies how many eggs and cups of flour you need for a cake, reaction stoichiometry tells us how much of each reactant is needed to produce a desired amount of product.

In the exercise provided, we see that 3 moles of diborane, \(\mathrm{B}_{2} \mathrm{H}_{6}\), react with methanol, \(\mathrm{CH}_{3} \mathrm{OH}\), to produce boron-containing product, \(\mathrm{B} \left(\mathrm{OCH}_{3} \right)_{3}\), and hydrogen gas. The stoichiometric coefficients from the balanced reaction give us the precise molar ratios in which these substances react. This ratio is crucial because it helps us to convert between moles of reactant and moles of product.

Understanding reaction stoichiometry enables you to predict the outcomes of chemical reactions and is an essential tool for anyone working in a chemistry-related field. It can also be quite useful in real-world applications such as pharmaceuticals, where precise amounts of substances are required.

Moles Concept

The concept of moles is a fundamental principle in chemistry that acts as a bridge between the microscopic world of atoms and molecules and the macroscopic world we interact with every day. A mole is simply a unit that measures the amount of substance, akin to 'dozen' for eggs, except a mole is a much larger collection - it's 6.022 x 10^23 of something!

The mole concept enables chemists to count particles (atoms, molecules, ions, etc.) by weighing them. When we say we have 3 moles of diborane, as in our exercise, we’re talking about a huge number of diborane molecules. This is pivotal in stoichiometry, as it allows us to use the balanced chemical equation to relate moles of reactants to moles of products.

In practice, when you determine the number of moles of a substance, you can then find out just how many atoms or molecules you have, which is essential when you're trying to predict how much product you'll obtain in a reaction or if you’re going to run out of a particular reactant.

Chemical Reaction

A chemical reaction is a process by which one or more substances, the reactants, are converted to one or more different substances, the products. During this process, chemical bonds are broken and new ones are made. These transformations are the essence of chemistry and all the changes you see around - from the rusting of iron to the rising of bread dough - are the results of chemical reactions.

The exercise involves a reaction where diborane bonds with methanol to produce an organic compound containing boron and hydrogen gas. The balanced chemical equation provided in the exercise encapsulates the whole story of the reaction: it tells us the reactants, the products, and their quantities. It's like reading a concise version of a cooking method where nothing is left for guesswork.

Crucially, a deep understanding of chemical reactions is not just about knowing the beginning and end points. It involves comprehending the structures of the associated molecules, the conditions under which the reaction proceeds, energy changes involved, and the speed or rate at which it happens. This holistic approach to studying chemical reactions enables chemists, and learners alike, to gain better insight and control over not only laboratory experiments but also industrial processes and natural phenomena.