3.1.13

Atom Economy

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Reaction Pathways

Reaction pathways (ways reactions happen) with high atom economies (% of useful products made) are good because:

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Cost-effectiveness

  • Using the smallest possible amount of reactants saves money.
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Low waste

  • A higher atom economy means that less waste is produced.
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Choosing a reaction pathway

  • When selecting a reaction pathway, we don't just consider atom economy. We also look at:
    • How much the reactants cost.
    • What the percentage yield will be.
    • How quickly the reaction will happen.
    • How useful the by-products of the reaction are.
    • The position of equilibrium.

Jump to other topics

1Atomic Structure

2Chemical Bonding

3Quantitative Chemistry

4Chemical Changes

5Energy Changes

6The Rate & Extent of Chemical Change

7Organic Chemistry

8Chemical Analysis

9Chemistry of the Atmosphere

10Using Resources

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