Methanol, a key chemical feedstock and potential renewable fuel, can be synthesised by the hydrogenation of carbon dioxide:
CO2(g)+3H2(g)⇌CH3OH(g)+H2O(g) \text{CO}_2(\text{g}) + 3\text{H}_2(\text{g}) \rightleftharpoons \text{CH}_3\text{OH}(\text{g}) + \text{H}_2\text{O}(\text{g}) CO2(g)+3H2(g)⇌CH3OH(g)+H2O(g)In this reaction, the forward reaction is exothermic.
The industrial conditions typically used are:
Explain, in terms of their effects on the rate of attainment of equilibrium and the equilibrium yield of methanol, why this reaction is carried out using a catalyst at 250∘C250^\circ\text{C}250∘C rather than without a catalyst at a higher temperature.
Practise Edexcel GCSE Chemistry Reversible reactions and equilibria with exam-style questions for Foundation and Higher tier. 38 questions, matched to the Edexcel GCSE Chemistry (1CH0) specification and written in Paper 1 and Paper 2 style. Every question includes a full worked solution and mark scheme, so you can see where marks are awarded rather than just whether you got the answer right.
