Benzene is a minor component of gasoline. The standard molar enthalpy of formation of benzene C7H16(l) is 48.95 kJ/mol. For the balanced reaction equation of benzene use: C6H6(l) + 7.5O2 --> 6CO2 + 3H2O.

Benzene is a liquid, but all the other chemicals in this reaction are gases. What is the enthalpy change of this reaction in kJ/mol?

-3135.47 kJ/mol

Explanation:

Step 1: Write the balanced equation

C₆H₆(l) + 7.5 O₂(g) ⇒ 6 CO₂(g) + 3 H₂O(g)

Step 2: Calculate the standard enthalpy change of the reaction (ΔH°r)

We will use the following expression.

ΔH°r = ∑np × ΔH°f(p) - ∑nr × ΔH°f(r)

where,

n: moles

ΔH°f: standard enthalpies of formation

p: products

r: reactants

ΔH°r = 6 mol × ΔH°f(CO₂(g)) + 3 mol × ΔH°f(H₂O(g)) - 1 mol × ΔH°f(C₆H₆(l)) - 7.5 mol × ΔH°f(O₂(g))

ΔH°r = 6 mol × (-393.51 kJ/mol) + 3 mol × (-241.82 kJ/mol) - 1 mol × (48.95 kJ/mol) - 7.5 mol × 0 kJ/mol

ΔH°r = -3135.47 kJ

Since this enthalpy change is for 1 mole of C₆H₆(l), we can express it as -3135.47 kJ/mol.