A catalytic converter in an automobile uses a palladium or platinum catalyst to

Question

A catalytic converter in an automobile uses a palladium or platinum catalyst to convert carbon monoxide gas to carbon dioxide according to the following reaction: 2CO + O2 ---------> 2CO2 A chemist researching the effectiveness of a new catalyst combines a 2.0 : 1.0 mole ratio mixture of carbon monoxide and oxygen gas (respectively) over the catalyst in a 2.45 L} flask at a total pressure of 755torr and a temperature of 552 C. When the reaction is complete, the pressure in the flask has dropped to 554torr . What percentage of the carbon monoxide was converted to carbon dioxide?

Explanation / Answer

The increase of atmospheric carbon dioxide and the global warming due to its greenhouse effect resulted in worldwide concerns. On the other hand, carbon dioxide might be considered as a valuable and renewable carbon source. One approach to reduce carbon dioxide emissions could be its capture and recycle via transformation into chemicals using the technologies in C1 chemistry. Despite its great interest, there are difficulties in CO2 separation on the one hand, and thermodynamic stability of carbon dioxide molecule rendering its chemical activity low on the other hand. Carbon dioxide has been already used in petrochemical industries for production of limited chemicals such as urea. The utilization of carbon dioxide does not necessarily involve development of new processes, and in certain processes such as methanol synthesis and methane steam reforming, addition of CO2 into the feed results in its utilization and increases carbon efficiency. In other cases, modifications in catalyst and/or processes, or even new catalysts and processes, are necessary. In either case, catalysis plays a crucial role in carbon dioxide conversion and effective catalysts are required for commercial realization of the related processes. Technologies for CO2 utilization are emerging after many years of research and development efforts

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