Question

Write the formula to measure % atom economy according to green chemistry.

Hint:

High % atom economy means less waste is generated. Rearrangement and addition reactions usually have 100% atom economy.

Answer 1

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Atom economy is a measure of the efficiency of a chemical reaction in terms of how many atoms from the reactants end up in the desired product.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
The goal of green chemistry is to design syntheses where most of the reactant mass is converted into the final desired product, minimizing waste.
The formula is:
\[ % \text{ Atom Economy} = \frac{\text{Formula weight of desired product}}{\text{Sum of formula weights of all reactants used in the reaction}} \times 100 \]
Step 3: Final Answer:
The formula is \( \frac{\text{Mass of desired product}}{\text{Total mass of reactants}} \times 100 \).