Limiting Reagent (Limiting Reactant)
Definition: The limiting reagent (or limiting reactant) is the substance that is completely consumed first in a
chemical reaction, thus determining the amount of product formed.
When one reactant is used up before the others, the reaction stops even if other reactants are still available.
This reactant is the limiting reagent.
Example 1:
Reaction: H₂ + Cl₂ → 2HCl
• Suppose you have 5 moles of H₂ and 3 moles of Cl₂.
Balanced Equation: 1 mol H₂ reacts with 1 mol Cl₂
• Therefore, 3 moles of H₂ will react with 3 moles of Cl₂ to produce 6 moles of HCl.
• Remaining H₂ = 5 - 3 = 2 moles (excess)
Limiting reagent = Cl₂ (used up completely)
Example 2:
Reaction: 2H₂ + O₂ → 2H₂O
• Suppose 4 moles of H₂ and 1 mole of O₂ are taken.
According to balanced equation:
• 2 mol H₂ needs 1 mol O₂
• So, 4 mol H₂ needs 2 mol O₂ (but only 1 mol O₂ available)
Thus, O₂ is limiting, and only 2 mol H₂ will be used.
• Water formed = 2 mol H₂O
• Excess H₂ = 4 - 2 = 2 mol
Numerical Problem 1
Question: 2Mg + O₂ → 2MgO If 6 g of Mg and 5 g of O₂ are taken, identify the limiting reagent.
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Solution:
• Molar mass of Mg = 24 g/mol
• Moles of Mg = 6 / 24 = 0.25 mol
• Molar mass of O₂ = 32 g/mol
• Moles of O₂ = 5 / 32 ≈ 0.156 mol
From balanced reaction: 2 mol Mg reacts with 1 mol O₂
• Required Mg for 0.156 mol O₂ = 2 × 0.156 = 0.312 mol
• But only 0.25 mol Mg available
Hence, Mg is the limiting reagent
Numerical Problem 2
Question: 2Al + 3Cl₂ → 2AlCl₃. If 5.4 g of Al and 10.6 g of Cl₂ are used, identify the limiting reagent.
Solution:
• Molar mass of Al = 27 g/mol → Moles = 5.4 / 27 = 0.2 mol
• Molar mass of Cl₂ = 71 g/mol → Moles = 10.6 / 71 ≈ 0.149 mol
Balanced equation: 2 mol Al reacts with 3 mol Cl₂ → mol ratio = 2:3
• Required Cl₂ for 0.2 mol Al = (3/2) × 0.2 = 0.3 mol (but only 0.149 mol Cl₂ present)
Hence, Cl₂ is the limiting reagent
Numerical Problem 3
Question: CH₄ + 2O₂ → CO₂ + 2H₂O. If 16 g of CH₄ and 64 g of O₂ are taken, find the limiting reagent.
Solution:
• Molar mass of CH₄ = 16 g/mol → Moles = 16 / 16 = 1 mol
• Molar mass of O₂ = 32 g/mol → Moles = 64 / 32 = 2 mol
Balanced reaction: 1 mol CH₄ reacts with 2 mol O₂
→ Required O₂ = 2 mol (available = 2 mol)
Since both are exactly used, no limiting reagent, both are used up completely.
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Numerical Problem 4
Question: Fe₂O₃ + 3CO → 2Fe + 3CO₂. If 160 g of Fe₂O₃ and 84 g of CO are taken, find the limiting reagent.
Solution:
• Molar mass of Fe₂O₃ = 160 g/mol → Moles = 160 / 160 = 1 mol
• Molar mass of CO = 28 g/mol → Moles = 84 / 28 = 3 mol
From equation: 1 mol Fe₂O₃ reacts with 3 mol CO
→ Both are in exact stoichiometric ratio. No limiting reagent, both completely consumed.
Key Points:
• Always start by writing the balanced chemical equation.
• Convert grams to moles.
• Use mole ratio to determine which reactant runs out first.
• That reactant is the limiting reagent.
Practice Question
Question: N₂ + 3H₂ → 2NH₃ If 28 g of N₂ and 10 g of H₂ are mixed, identify the limiting reagent.
Molar Masses: N₂ = 28 g/mol, H₂ = 2 g/mol
Solution:
• Moles of N₂ = 28 / 28 = 1 mol
• Moles of H₂ = 10 / 2 = 5 mol
From equation: 1 mol N₂ reacts with 3 mol H₂ → required H₂ = 3 mol (available = 5 mol)
→ N₂ limits the reaction.
Limiting reagent = N₂
