1 Calculate the molar mass of salicylic acid (C7H6O3): Molar mass of C7H6O3 = (7 x atomic mass of C) + (6 x atomic mass of H) + (3 x atomic mass of O) = (7 x 12.01) + (6 x 1.008) + (3 x 16.00) = 91.08 + 6.048 + 48.00 = 145.128 g/mol
2 Calculate the molar mass of acetic anhydride (C4H6O3): Molar mass of C4H6O3 = (4 x atomic mass of C) + (6 x atomic mass of H) + (3 x atomic mass of O) = (4 x 12.01) + (6 x 1.008) + (3 x 16.00) = 48.04 + 6.048 + 48.00 = 102.088 g/mol
3 Calculate the number of moles of salicylic acid (C7H6O3) and acetic anhydride (C4H6O3) used: Number of moles of C7H6O3 = 12 g / 145.128 g/mol = 0.0827 mol Number of moles of C4H6O3 = 12 g / 102.088 g/mol = 0.1176 mol
4 Determine the limiting reactant by comparing the moles of each reactant used. The reactant that produces the least amount of product is the limiting reactant. From the balanced equation, 2 moles of C7H6O3 react with 1 mole of C4H6O3. Since the molar ratio is 2:1, C4H6O3 is the limiting reactant.
5 Calculate the amount of excess salicylic acid (C7H6O3) used: Amount of excess C7H6O3 used = 0.0827 mol - (0.1176 mol / 2) = 0.0239 mol