Question

3. Adipic acid, a raw material for nylon, is made industrially by the oxidation of cyclohexane.

5 O2 + 2 C6H12 ----------------------> 2 C6H10O4 + 2 H2O
cyclohexane special conditions adipic acid

(a) How many moles of oxygen would be needed to make 40.0 moles of adipic acid by this reaction?

(b) If 164 grams of cyclohexane is used, what is the theoretical yield of adipic acid in moles? In grams?

Answer 1

a) Hint: Every 5 moles of oxygen gives 2 moles of adipic acid. So how many moles of oxygen would give 40 moles?

b) The molecular mass of Cyclohexane is 84. So, 162 grams of cyclohexane is 2 moles of cyclohexane. 2 moles of this gives 2 moles of Adipic Acid.
To find the weight of Adipic Acid, multiply the number of moles and the molecular mass. (Adipic Acid = 12*6+1*10+16*4)