Ethyl alcohol weighing 92 kg completely oxidized when heated with atmospheric oxygen

Ethyl alcohol weighing 92 kg completely oxidized when heated with atmospheric oxygen in the presence of a copper catalyst to acetaldehyde, determine the weight.

Let’s write the reaction equation:

2CH3CH2OH + O2 (cat. = Cu, t) = 2CH3CHO + 2H2O

Let’s find the amount of CH3CH2OH substance:

v (CH3CH2OH) = m (CH3CH2OH) / M (CH3CH2OH) = 92/46 = 2 (kmol).

According to the reaction equation, 2 mol of CH3CHO is formed from 2 mol of CH3CH2OH, therefore:

v (CH3CHO) = v (CH3CH2OH) = 2 (kmol).

Thus, the mass of the resulting ethanal (acetaldehyde):

m (CH3CHO) = v (CH3CHO) * M (CH3CHO) = 2 * 44 = 88 (kg).

Answer: 88 kg.