1. What is Atom Economy?

Atom Economy is a measure of the efficiency of a chemical reaction - the percentage of reactant atoms that end up in the desired product. It's a key concept in green chemistry that helps minimize waste.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the Atom Economy equation:

Where:

• \( AE \) — Atom Economy (%)
• \( D \) — Mass of desired product (g)
• \( T \) — Total mass of all products (g)

Explanation: The equation calculates what percentage of the total mass of products is the desired product.

3. Importance of Atom Economy

Details: High atom economy means less waste and more efficient use of resources. Reactions with 100% atom economy are ideal as they produce no waste.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the mass of your desired product and the total mass of all products in grams. Both values must be positive numbers, and desired mass cannot exceed total mass.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What's considered good atom economy?
A: Generally >70% is good, with 100% being ideal. Addition reactions typically have 100% atom economy.

Q2: How does this differ from yield?
A: Yield measures how much product you got compared to theoretical maximum, while atom economy measures how many atoms from reactants end up in desired product.

Q3: Can atom economy be improved?
A: Yes, by choosing different reaction pathways or finding uses for byproducts.

Q4: What reactions have perfect atom economy?
A: Addition reactions like Diels-Alder or simple combination reactions where all reactants become part of the product.

Q5: Why is this important for green chemistry?
A: It helps reduce chemical waste at the molecular level, making processes more sustainable.