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Chemistry vocabulary · Moles and Stoichiometry

Limiting reagent

Meaning in chemistry, with examples

nounCommon term

In chemistry, limiting reagent means: The reactant that runs out first in a reaction. It decides the maximum amount of product that can form; the other reactants are left over in excess.

In Turkish: sınırlayıcı bileşen, sınırlayıcı reaktif

How it is used

Used in stoichiometry problems and when planning a synthesis. You identify the limiting reagent and base the theoretical yield on it. 'Limiting reactant' means the same thing.

Example sentences

  1. Calculate the moles of each reactant to find the limiting reagent.

  2. The amine is the limiting reagent, so base the yield on it.

Common collocations

  • identify the limiting reagent
  • reagent in excess
  • limiting reactant
  • based on the limiting reagent
  • reactantA starting substance that is used up or changed in a chemical reaction. In an equation, these substances are written to the left of the arrow.
  • stoichiometryThe calculation of the amounts of reactants and products in a reaction, using the mole ratios from the balanced equation.
  • percent yieldThe amount of product actually obtained, divided by the maximum possible (theoretical) amount and multiplied by 100. It shows how efficient a reaction was.
  • moleThe SI unit for amount of substance. One of these units contains about 6.022 × 10²³ particles, which lets chemists count atoms and molecules by weighing them.

More terms: Moles and Stoichiometry

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