Chapter 9, Problem 9.120QA

Interpretation Introduction

To find:

a) Is the following reaction endothermic or exothermic?

$O_2\left(g\right)+2 {CH}_{3}OH\left(aq\right)\to 2HCOOH\left(aq\right)+2 H_{2}O\left(l\right); {∆H}_{rxn}^o=-1019.5 kJ$

b) What change in enthalpy accompanies the metabolism of $60.0 g$ of methanol?

c) In the first step of the process, methanol is converted into formaldehyde ${(CH}_{2}O)$, which is then converted into formic acid. Would you expect ${∆H}_{rxn}^o$ for the metabolism of one mole of methanol to formaldehyde to be larger or smaller than the conversion of one mole of methanol to formic acid?