Question

Given the following heats of combustion. CH3OH(l) + 3/2 O2(g) CO2(g) + 2 H2O(l) ΔH°rxn = -726.4 kJ C(graphite) + O2(g) CO2(g) ΔH°rxn = -393.5 kJ H2(g) + 1/2 O2(g) H2O(l) ΔH°rxn = -285.8 kJ Calculate the enthalpy of formation of methanol (CH3OH) from its elements.

Answer 1

Answer:

The standard enthalpy of formation of methanol is, -238.7 kJ/mole

Explanation:

The formation reaction of CH_3OH will be,

$C(s)+2H_2(g)+\frac{1}{2}O_2\rightarrow CH_3OH(g),\Delta H_{formation}=?$

The intermediate balanced chemical reaction will be,

$C(graphite)+O_2(g)\rightarrow CO_2(g), \Delta H_1=-393.5kJ/mole$..[1]

$H_2(g)+\frac{1}{2}O_2(g)\rightarrow H_2O(l), \Delta H_2=-285.8kJ/mole$..[2]

$CH_3OH(g)+\frac{3}{2}O_2(g)\rightarrow CO_2(g)+2H_2O(l) , \Delta H_3=-726.4kJ/mole$..[3]

Now we will reverse the reaction 3, multiply reaction 2 by 2  then adding all the equations, Using Hess's law:

We get :

$C(graphite)+O_2(g)\rightarrow CO_2(g) , \Delta H_1=-393.5kJ/mole$..[1]

$2H_2(g)+2O_2(g)\rightarrow 2H_2O(l) ,\Delta H_2=2\times (-285.8kJ/mole)=-571.6kJ/mol$..[2]

$CO_2(g)+2H_2O(l)\rightarrow CH_3OH(g)+\frac{3}{2}O_2(g) ,\Delta H_3=726.4kJ/mole$ [3]

The expression for enthalpy of formation of $C_2H_4$ will be,

$\Delta H_{formation}=\Delta H_1+2\times \Delta H_2+\Delta H_3$

$\Delta H=(-393.5kJ/mole)+(-571.6kJ/mole)+(726.4kJ/mole)$

$\Delta H=-238.7kJ/mole$

The standard enthalpy of formation of methanol is, -238.7 kJ/mole