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Methanol is manufactured by the reaction of carbon monoxide gas with hydrogen gas. If a $95~\%$ yield is usually obtained, approximately how many liters of hydrogen gas at $\pu{350 °C}$ and $\pu{300 atm}$ are usually required to make $1.0$ liter of methanol measured at $\pu{20.0 °C}?$ The density of methanol at $\pu{20.0 °C}$ is $\pu{0.8 g mL^-1}.$

(a) $\pu{0.89 L}$
(b) $\pu{2.5 L}$
(c) $\pu{4.8 L}$
(d) $\pu{5.0 L}$
(e) $\pu{8.1 L}$

The correct answer is (d) $\pu{5.0 L}.$

I got two different answers, both wrong. I have detailed them below.

Attempt 1

I found the mass of methanol:

$$m(\ce{MeOH}) = \rho V = (\pu{0.8 g mL^-1})(\pu{1000 mL}) = \pu{800 g},\tag{1.1}$$

and calculated its theoretical yield:

$$m_\mathrm{theor}(\ce{MeOH}) = 0.95\times\pu{800 g} = \pu{842 g}.\tag{1.2}$$

The amount of methanol is

$$n(\ce{MeOH}) = \frac{\pu{842 g}}{\pu{32 g mol^-1}} = \pu{26.3 mol}.\tag{1.3}$$

The amount of hydrogen from balanced equation is $n(\ce{H2}) = \pu{52.6 mol}.$ From here

$$ \begin{align} V(\ce{H2}) &= \frac{nRT}{p} \\ &= \frac{(\pu{52.6 mol})(\pu{8.31 J mol^-1 K^-1})(\pu{(350 + 273) K})}{\pu{3E7 Pa}} \\ &= \pu{9.08E-3 m^3} \\ &\approx \pu{9.1 L}. \tag{1.4} \end{align} $$

Attempt 2

Assuming the pressure of methanol is $\pu{1 atm} = \pu{1E5 Pa},$

$$ \begin{align} n &= \frac{pV}{RT} \\ &= \frac{(\pu{1E5 Pa})(\pu{1000 mL})}{(\pu{8.31 J mol^-1 K^-1})(\pu{293 K})} \\ &= \pu{41071 mol}. \tag{2.1} \end{align} $$

Theoretical amount of methanol is

$$n_\mathrm{theor}(\ce{MeOH}) = \pu{41071 mol}/0.95 = \pu{43232 mol}.\tag{2.2}$$

The amount of hydrogen from the balanced equation is $n(\ce{H2}) = \pu{86464 mol}.$ From here

$$ \begin{align} V(\ce{H2}) &= \frac{nRT}{p} \\ &= \frac{(\pu{86464 mol})(\pu{8.31 J mol^-1 K^-1})(\pu{(350 + 273) K})}{\pu{3E7 Pa}} \\ &= \pu{14.92 m^3}. \tag{2.3} \end{align} $$

Attempt 2 is definitely wrong. I don't get what I did wrong in my attempt 1. What am I missing?

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    $\begingroup$ It is always good to summarize and/or complement the verbal description by algebra. Good practice is starting with symbolic algebraic expressions and keeping it this way until all is ready to plug in literal numbers. It helps in focusing on principles, mistakes are easier to spot, orientation is improved, Q/A is reusable and has bigger permanent value. You may find useful formatting mathematical/chemical expressions/formulas. $\endgroup$
    – Poutnik
    Commented Jan 8, 2023 at 16:51
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    $\begingroup$ If the correct answer is d) the volume of methanol is 5 L not 5mL. And that is the volume of the liquid so no calculations using the gas equation are relevant to it. $\endgroup$
    – matt_black
    Commented Jan 8, 2023 at 18:16
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    $\begingroup$ @Natalie Methanol at 20 deg C is liquid, not gas, and you cannot use for it the ideal gas state equation. (attempt 2 ) $\endgroup$
    – Poutnik
    Commented Jan 8, 2023 at 20:01
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    $\begingroup$ Your first calculation was right. The volume of $\ce{H2}$ must be nearly $9$ L, and not nearly $5$ L. $5$ L is not far from the expected volume of $\ce{CO}$. $\endgroup$
    – Maurice
    Commented Jan 9, 2023 at 19:45
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    $\begingroup$ @Karl This question is from a past paper of a Chemistry Olympiad test. You’re right I don’t think they considered how practical this question is. $\endgroup$
    – Jane902
    Commented Jan 10, 2023 at 4:01

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