Nitrobenzene (C₆H₅NO₂) is used in small quantities as a flavoring agent or in perfumes but can be toxic in large amounts. It is produced by reaction of benzene (C₆H₆) with nitric acid:
C₆H₆(l) + HNO₃(aq) → C₆H₅NO₂(l) + H₂O(l)
b. Calculate the theoretical yield for this reaction.

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Write the balanced chemical equation for the reaction. The given equation is already balanced: ${C6H6}_{}\left(l\right)+{H\mathrm{NO}3}_{}\left(\mathrm{aq}\right)\to {C6H5\mathrm{NO}2}_{}\left(l\right)+{H2O}_{}\left(l\right)$.
2. Step 2: Determine the molar masses of the reactants and products. Use the periodic table to calculate the molar masses: Benzene (${C6H6}_{}$) = 78.11 g/mol, Nitric acid (${H\mathrm{NO}3}_{}$) = 63.01 g/mol, Nitrobenzene (${C6H5\mathrm{NO}2}_{}$) = 123.11 g/mol.
3. Step 3: Identify the limiting reactant. To do this, calculate the number of moles of each reactant using the formula $n=\frac{m}{M}$, where $m$ is the mass of the substance and $M$ is its molar mass. Compare the mole ratio of the reactants to the stoichiometric ratio in the balanced equation.
4. Step 4: Calculate the theoretical yield of nitrobenzene. Use the mole ratio from the balanced equation to determine the moles of nitrobenzene that can be produced from the limiting reactant. Then, convert moles of nitrobenzene to grams using its molar mass: $m=n\times M$.
5. Step 5: Verify your calculations and ensure all units are consistent. Double-check the molar masses, mole ratios, and conversions to confirm the theoretical yield is accurate.

Key Concepts

Stoichiometry

Stoichiometry is the branch of chemistry that deals with the quantitative relationships between the reactants and products in a chemical reaction. It involves using balanced chemical equations to determine the amounts of substances consumed and produced. In this case, understanding stoichiometry is essential for calculating the theoretical yield of nitrobenzene from benzene and nitric acid.

Theoretical Yield

Theoretical yield refers to the maximum amount of product that can be generated from a given amount of reactants, assuming complete conversion and no losses. It is calculated based on the stoichiometric coefficients from the balanced chemical equation. In this reaction, determining the theoretical yield of nitrobenzene requires knowing the initial amounts of benzene and nitric acid used.

Limiting Reactant

The limiting reactant is the substance that is completely consumed first in a chemical reaction, thus determining the maximum amount of product that can be formed. Identifying the limiting reactant is crucial for calculating the theoretical yield, as it dictates how much of the product can be produced based on the initial quantities of reactants involved in the reaction.