1. What is Atom Economy?

Atom Economy (AE) is a measure of the efficiency of a chemical reaction, calculated as 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:

• \( MW_p \) — Molecular weight of the desired product (g/mol)
• \( MW_r \) — Sum of molecular weights of all reactants (g/mol)

Explanation: The equation compares the mass of atoms in the product to the mass of atoms in all reactants, expressing this as a percentage.

3. Importance of Atom Economy

Details: High atom economy means more efficient reactions with less waste. It's crucial for sustainable chemistry and reducing environmental impact.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter molecular weights in g/mol for both product and reactants. All values must be positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is a good atom economy percentage?
A: The ideal is 100%, meaning all reactant atoms are incorporated into the product. Most reactions fall between 30-90%.

Q2: How does atom economy differ from yield?
A: Yield measures how much product you get compared to theoretical maximum, while atom economy measures how many atoms are used productively.

Q3: Can atom economy be greater than 100%?
A: No, since it's impossible for the product to contain more atoms than were present in the reactants.

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

Q5: Should solvents be included in MW_r?
A: Typically no, unless the solvent participates in the reaction and becomes part of the product.