Because elemental mercury is a liquid at a room temperature
Unsaturated organic compounds with a carbon-to-carbon double bond and alkynes with a carbon-to-carbon triple bond, as well as aldehydes and ketones with a carbon-to-oxygen double bond, undergo addition reactions.
The balanced reaction equation for the reaction between CH₃OH and O₂ is
2CH₃OH(l) + 3O₂(g) → 2CO₂(g) + 4H₂O(l)
Initial moles 12 24
Reacted moles 12 18
Final moles - 6 12 24
The stoichiometric ratio between CH₃OH and O₂ is 2 : 3
Hence,
reacted moles of O₂ = reacted moles of CH₃OH x (3/2)
= 12 mol x 3 / 2
= 18 mol
All of CH₃OH moles react with O₂.
Hence, the limiting agent is CH₃OH.
Excess reagent is O₂.
Amount of moles of excess reagent left = 24 - 18 mol = 6 mol
