Here's how you can balance the equation:
1. Identify the Reactants and Products:
* Reactants: Propylene (C3H6) and Nitric Oxide (NO)
* Products: Acrylonitrile (C3H3N), Water (H2O), and Nitrogen gas (N2)
2. Write the Unbalanced Equation:
C3H6 + NO → C3H3N + H2O + N2
3. Balance the Equation by Adjusting Coefficients:
* Carbon: 3 carbon atoms on the left, 3 on the right (already balanced)
* Hydrogen: 6 hydrogen atoms on the left, 3 on the right. Add a coefficient of 2 in front of H2O.
* Nitrogen: 1 nitrogen atom on the left, 1 in acrylonitrile and 2 in nitrogen gas. Add a coefficient of 3/2 in front of NO.
* Oxygen: 3/2 oxygen atoms on the left, 2 on the right. Multiply all coefficients by 2 to get whole numbers.
4. Balanced Equation:
2 C3H6 + 3 NO → 2 C3H3N + 2 H2O + N2
Explanation:
This balanced equation accurately represents the reaction. You start with 2 molecules of propylene (C3H6) and 3 molecules of nitric oxide (NO). These react to produce 2 molecules of acrylonitrile (C3H3N), 2 molecules of water (H2O), and 1 molecule of nitrogen gas (N2).
Important Note: While this balanced equation represents the reaction, the actual process is more complex and involves multiple steps. The reaction is typically carried out in the presence of a catalyst to promote the formation of acrylonitrile.