Question

if 147.0 of sulfuric acid (H2SO4) reacts with 220.0 sodium cyanide as shown in the reaction below.identify the limiting reactant.
NaCN+H2SO4---HCN+Na2SO4

Answer 1

number of moles of H2SO4 = 147.0 g / 98.078 g.mol^-1 = 1.50 mole

number of moles of NaCN = 220.0 g / 49.0072 g.mol^-1 = 4.49 mole

2 NaCN +   H2SO4   ----- > 2 HCN + Na2SO4

from the balanced equation we can say that

2 mole of NaCN requires 1 mole of H2SO4 so

4.49 mole of NaCN will require

= 4.49 mole of NaCN*(1 mole of H2SO4 /2 mole of NaCN)

= 2.245 mole of H2SO4

But we have only 1.50 mole of H2SO4 so H2SO4 is the limiting reactant.