1. What is Atom Economy?

Atom economy is a measure of the efficiency of a chemical reaction - the percentage of the total mass of reactants that becomes part of the desired product rather than by-products or waste. It's a fundamental concept in green chemistry.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the Atom Economy equation:

Where:

• Molecular Weight of Desired Product — The molar mass of the target compound (g/mol)
• Sum of Molecular Weights of All Reactants — The total molar mass of all starting materials (g/mol)

Explanation: The equation calculates what percentage of the mass of all reactants ends up in the desired product.

3. Importance of Atom Economy

Details: High atom economy means less waste and more efficient use of resources. It's crucial for sustainable chemistry and reducing environmental impact of chemical processes.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the molecular weight of your desired product and the sum of molecular weights of all reactants in g/mol. Both values must be positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is considered good atom economy?
A: The ideal is 100%. Reactions with <50% atom economy should be reconsidered for more efficient alternatives.

Q2: How does atom economy differ from yield?
A: Yield measures how much product you actually got compared to theoretical maximum, while atom economy measures how much of the starting atoms end up in the product.

Q3: Can atom economy be greater than 100%?
A: No, since it's a percentage of input atoms that become part of the desired product, the maximum possible is 100%.

Q4: What types of reactions typically have high atom economy?
A: Addition and rearrangement reactions often have 100% atom economy, while substitution and elimination reactions typically have lower values.

Q5: Should solvents be included in the calculation?
A: No, only reactants that become part of the product should be included. Solvents and catalysts are typically excluded.