Atom economy is a crucial concept in chemical synthesis, reflecting the efficiency of a reaction in incorporating reactants into the final product. It is essential for sustainable industrial chemistry, aiming to maximize raw material use and minimize waste. This metric differs from percentage yield, which measures the actual product obtained. High atom economy aligns with green chemistry principles, emphasizing resource conservation and reduced environmental impact.
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Atom economy is a metric used to measure the efficiency of a chemical synthesis by calculating the proportion of reactants that become incorporated into the desired product
Formula
Atom economy is calculated by dividing the molecular mass of the desired product by the total molecular mass of all products, multiplied by 100
Assumptions
The calculation of atom economy assumes adherence to the law of conservation of mass
Atom economy is important for evaluating the sustainability and environmental impact of chemical processes, as well as for resource conservation and waste reduction in industrial chemistry
Atom economy and percentage yield are distinct measures of a chemical reaction's efficiency, with atom economy focusing on theoretical efficiency and percentage yield on actual efficiency
Influencing Factors
Percentage yield can be influenced by experimental factors, while atom economy remains constant regardless of experimental conditions
Calculation Method
Percentage yield is calculated by comparing the actual amount of product obtained to the theoretical maximum, while atom economy is calculated based on the stoichiometry of the balanced chemical equation
Atom economy and percentage yield provide different insights into the efficiency of a chemical reaction and can be used together to evaluate a process
High atom economy is a key objective in industrial chemistry as it leads to more efficient use of resources, reduced waste generation, and lower environmental impact
Emphasizing atom economy aligns with the principles of green chemistry, which aim to design chemical products and processes that are environmentally friendly
Atom economy can be applied to various chemical reactions, such as the synthesis of iron from its ore, to evaluate their efficiency and sustainability
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Atom Economy Calculation
Molecular mass of desired product divided by total molecular mass of all products, times 100.
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High Atom Economy Indication
Represents a more efficient process with minimal atoms wasted as by-products.
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Atom Economy's Role in Sustainability
Encourages development of methods that maximize raw material use and minimize waste.
