Ethanol can be made industrially by two routes.
Route 1 (hydration of ethene): C2H4 + H2O → C2H5OH
Route 2 (fermentation of glucose): C6H12O6 → 2C2H5OH + 2CO2
The atom economy of each route is shown below.
(Ar: H = 1.0, C = 12.0, O = 16.0.)
Calculate the percentage atom economy of the fermentation route (Route 2). Show your working.
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Route 1 has a higher atom economy. Explain two advantages to industry of using a process with a high atom economy.
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