Chemistry Equilibrium K Values: Problem Solving Tips

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Homework Statement

You are a chemical engineer that is responsible for synthesizing a new drug. You look at a series of potential chemical reactions that will make your drug along with their respective K values. What type of K value would you be looking for and why?

Relevant Equations

n/a

I know what K does, what can change K, and I know about the equilibrium equation. I don't know how to use that to answer this problem. I'm not given any chemical reactions or their K values. How should I start this problem?

 

[Chestermiller]

Would you like K to be large or small?

 

[epenguin]

You know what K is, therefore you must know what a chemical reaction is. You need to know what synthesising is. If you know that you are given a free hand, not even required to give specific examples.

 

[etotheipi]

Sometimes a low temperature will give a higher $K$ for the reaction, but with lower temperatures come lower rates of reaction. So you might need to make a compromise!