In green chemistry, chemical engineers aim to improve processes by maximizing atom economy. Ethanol, C2H5OH\text{C}_2\text{H}_5\text{OH}C2H5OH, can be produced industrially via the fermentation of glucose, C6H12O6\text{C}_6\text{H}_{12}\text{O}_6C6H12O6, according to the balanced equation below:
C6H12O6→2C2H5OH+2CO2 \text{C}_6\text{H}_{12}\text{O}_6 \rightarrow 2\text{C}_2\text{H}_5\text{OH} + 2\text{CO}_2 C6H12O6→2C2H5OH+2CO2Calculate the percentage atom economy for the production of ethanol using this fermentation process.
Give your answer to 3 significant figures.
(The relative formula mass, MrM_rMr, of glucose is 180.0180.0180.0 and of ethanol is 46.046.046.0.)
81 exam-style questions on OCR GCSE Chemistry Improving processes and products. Each one has a worked solution and a mark scheme showing where the marks go.