What determines the maximum amount of product formed in a chemical reaction?

The maximum amount of product formed in a chemical reaction is determined by the limiting reagent. In a chemical reaction, reactants combine in specific molar ratios to produce products. The limiting reagent is the reactant that is completely consumed first, thus it dictates the amount of product that can be formed. When this reagent runs out, the reaction cannot proceed any further, even if other reagents are still available in excess.

For instance, in a reaction between hydrogen and oxygen to form water, if there is not enough hydrogen to react with all the oxygen present, hydrogen becomes the limiting reagent. Once that hydrogen is consumed, no additional water can be formed, regardless of the remaining oxygen.

In contrast, the excess reagent does not define the maximum product amount, as it is not the substance that limits the reaction. The solvent and temperature can influence the rate of reaction and the overall equilibrium, but they do not determine the maximum yield of a product; rather, they can affect how quickly or efficiently reactions occur. Thus, the limiting reagent is the key factor in determining the maximum amount of product produced in a chemical reaction.