Academic Subjects
Chemistry
General Chemistry
Chemical Reactions
Finding MgCl2 Limiting Reagent

116.6 g of magnesium hydroxide is allowed to react with 500 mL of 2 M HCl.
What is the maximum amount of magnesium chloride that can be produced?



Let's start by writing a balanced equation for this reaction

Mg(OH)2 + 2 HCl    2 H2O + MgCl2

now we'll find the moles of HCl

2 M HCl =
x moles HCl / 0.5 L HCl


x = 1 mole HCl

We have all the information to find the limiting reagent

116.6 g Mg(OH)2
1 mole Mg(OH)2 / 58.33 g Mg(OH)2
1 mole MgCl2 / 1 mole Mg(OH)2
95.21 g MgCl2 / 1 mole MgCl2
= 190.32 g MgCl2

1 mole HCl
1 mole MgCl2 / 2 moles HCl
95.21 g MgCl2 / 1 mole MgCl2
= 47.61 g MgCl2

The limiting reagent is HCL and
the maximum amount of MgCl2 that can be produced is 47.61 g