Ga2O3 (s) + 3SOCl2 (l) - - > 2GaCl3 (s) + 3SO2

In a certain reaction, 71.8 g of Ga2O3 is reacted with 110.8 g SOCl2. The GaCl3 produced is collected and its mass founded to be 97.66 g.

What is the theoretical yield of GaCl3?

The balanced equation is;

Ga2O3 + 3 SOCl2 → 2GaCl3 + 3SO2

the no. of moles of Ga2O3 = Weight / Molecular weight

= 71.8 / 187.44 = 0.383 moles >>> (1)

the no. of moles of SOCl2 = (Wt / M. wt) / 3 = (110.8/119) / 3 = 0.310 moles >>> (2)

From (1) and (2),

∴ SOCl2 determines the yield of the reaction (lower no. of moles)

∴ No. of moles of GaCl3 = 0.310 * 2 = 0.620 moles >>> (3)

∴ the theoritical yield (weight in gram) of GaCl3 = no. of moles * M. wt.

= 0.620 * 176 = 109.12 g