Consider the reduction reaction involving the transformation of acetic acid into ethanol: CH 3 COOH --→ C 2 H 5 OH. The rule-based methodology aptly addressed this reaction by introducing two moles of hydrogen H 2 to the reactant side and one mole of water (H 2 O) to the product side, thereby yielding the stoichiometric equation:
It is essential to acknowledge that the depicted reaction is not viable due to the insufficient reactivity of molecular hydrogen (H 2 ) for the reduction of acetic acid. Typically, this reaction necessitates a suitable reducing agent, such as lithium aluminum hydride (LiAlH 4 ). However, identifying and substituting the appropriate reducing agents can be problematic. Some chemists use a convention to simplify chemical notations where the reducing agent is represented as [H] without specifying the exact compound. Following this convention, we have updated the notation from molecular hydrogen (H 2 ) to two single hydrogen atoms (H). This new representation indicates the presence of a reducing agent distinct from elemental hydrogen. Likewise, the depiction of molecular oxygen as O 2 has been revised to two single oxygen atoms (O), symbolizing its role as an oxidizing agent.
It is essential to acknowledge that the depicted reaction is not viable due to the insufficient reactivity of molecular hydrogen (H 2 ) for the reduction of acetic acid. Typically, this reaction necessitates a suitable reducing agent, such as lithium aluminum hydride (LiAlH 4 ). However, identifying and substituting the appropriate reducing agents can be problematic. Some chemists use a convention to simplify chemical notations where the reducing agent is represented as [H] without specifying the exact compound. Following this convention, we have updated the notation from molecular hydrogen (H 2 ) to two single hydrogen atoms (H). This new representation indicates the presence of a reducing agent distinct from elemental hydrogen. Likewise, the depiction of molecular oxygen as O 2 has been revised to two single oxygen atoms (O), symbolizing its role as an oxidizing agent.
