Atom Economy Calculator (Green Chemistry)
Enter the molar mass of the desired product and of all reactants to get the atom economy.
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Atom Economy Calculator (Green Chemistry) by TheCalcTools
How the Atom Economy Calculator (Green Chemistry) works
Atom economy = mass of the desired product ÷ total mass of reactants × 100, using molar masses multiplied by the coefficients in the balanced equation.
Addition reactions can reach 100%; substitution and elimination reactions waste atoms in by-products. High atom economy means less waste.
The formula
Worked example
Using the default values shown in the calculator:
| Molar mass of desired product × its coefficient (g/mol) | 46.07 |
|---|---|
| Molar mass × coefficient of each reactant | 180.16 |
- Fermentation C6H12O6 → 2 C2H5OH + 2 CO2: ethanol 2 × 46.07 = 92.14 g/mol.
- With 46.07 entered per mole of product the atom economy is 25.6%.
Result:
| Atom economy | 25.57% |
|---|---|
| Total reactant mass (g/mol) | 180.160 |
| Mass that becomes by-products (g/mol) | 134.090 |
Frequently asked questions
Is atom economy the same as yield?
No. Yield measures how much product you actually got; atom economy measures how much of the reactant mass could end up in the product even at 100% yield.
Sources and further reading
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This calculator gives estimates for information only. Check important results independently before you rely on them. See our disclaimer.