stiochemistry problem

[Smooth Operater]

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two rxns between oxygen, O2 and chlorine, Cl2 are carried out, producing gas Cl2O in either case. In case 1, one mole of oxygen gas is used, while in case 2, one mole of chlorine is employed. The ratio of moles of Cl2O produced in case 1 and 2, respectively, would be..

A. 2:1
E. equal

I said E. equal, b/c O2 + Cl2 --> Cl2O give 1 to 1 mole ratio in both cases. But the answer key it's A. Who is right here? thanks!

 

[jwilson02]

in case one, you have this : 1O2 + ?Cl2 --> Cl2O well, they didnt specify how much cl2 you had in case one so stoichemetrically you could have 1O2 +2CL2 --> 2ClO

As for case 2, you only have one mole of Chlorine gas, this is your limiting reagent so you have: ?O2 + 1Cl2--> 1Cl2O You can add any O2 you want but it doesnt matter because youll only be able to make one mole of Cl2O.

So the ratio of Cl2O in case 1: case2 is 2:1 or answer A.

You made the mistake of thinking 1O2 + 1Cl2 ---> 1 Cl2O, this is incorrect in stoichemetric terms.