Chemistry Calculate the theoretical yield percentage for this reaction

AI Thread Summary
The discussion revolves around calculating the theoretical yield percentage for a reaction involving silicon and silicon tetrachloride. The user starts with 1.0 ton of impure silicon, which contains 92% silicon, leading to confusion about how to proceed with calculations. Theoretical calculations for moles of silicon and silicon tetrachloride are presented, but the user is unsure about the next steps to find the yield percentage. Clarification is needed on whether to first determine the actual mass of silicon from the impure material before proceeding with yield calculations. The conversation emphasizes the importance of accounting for the purity of the starting material in yield calculations.
Kiah Palmer
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Homework Statement
In the first step of silicon purification, a reaction is brought about between the impure silicon and chlorine. Pure silicon is then used, in the computer industry, for the manufacture of microchips.

Si + Cl2 -> SiCl4 (unbalanced equation)

Given that the silicon is 92% pure, calculate the theoretical yield percentage if 1.0 t of impure silicon produces 2.33 t of silicon (IV) chloride.
Relevant Equations
(Balanced Equation) Si + 2Cl2 -> SiCl4
Conversion: 1.0 t = 1.0x10^6 g impure Si
Conversion: 2.33 t = 2.33x10^6 g SiCl4
Atomic Mass Si = 28.085 g/mol
Atomic Mass Cl2 = (2 x 35.453) = 70.906 g/mol
Mass SiCl4 = 28.085 + (4x35.453) = 169.897 g/molI got all this part down, however, I'm not quite sure where I am supposed to go from there...
 
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How much silicon is there in 1.0 t of the starting material? How much SiCl4 would you expect to make from it?
 
so for that, I would need to find Mol Si and mol SiCl4, which I believe is as follows:

Theoretical # mol Si = 1.0x10^6 g / 28.085 g/mol = 3.6x10^4 mol

Theoretical # Mol SiCl4 = 2.33x10^6 g / 169.897 g/mol = 1.4x10^4 mol

I think this would be correct for the # mol (if that was even needed) But I am still a bit confused as to what I would do next. Is this where the equation to find the theoretical yield percentage would go?? Or is there steps in between missing still?
 
Last edited:
Kiah Palmer said:
Theoretical # mol Si = 1.0x10^6 g / 28.085 g/mol = 3.6x10^4 mol

No. You don't have a ton of Si. You have a ton of a material which contains 92% Si.
 
Borek said:
No. You don't have a ton of Si. You have a ton of a material which contains 92% Si.
Ok, so then I would need to use Mol SiCl4 then calculate the yield percent? Or do I need to find out what 92% of the mass of Si would be first, then recalculate mol?
 
See my first post in the thread, it addresses exactly questions you are asking now.
 
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