Turnover Number Formula:
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Definition: Turnover Number (TON) is the number of passes or turns through the catalytic cycle before the catalyst gets deactivated.
Purpose: It helps chemists and chemical engineers evaluate catalyst efficiency in chemical reactions.
The calculator uses the formula:
Where:
Explanation: The reactant amount is divided by catalyst amount to get the base ratio, then multiplied by the yield to account for reaction efficiency.
Details: Higher TON values indicate more efficient catalysts that can process more reactant molecules before deactivation.
Tips: Enter the reactant amount in moles, catalyst amount in moles, and product yield as a decimal (0 to 1). All values must be > 0.
Q1: What is a good turnover number?
A: TON values vary widely by reaction type, but generally higher is better. Industrial catalysts often have TON > 10,000.
Q2: How is this different from turnover frequency?
A: TOF (Turnover Frequency) includes time, measuring turns per unit time, while TON is the total turns regardless of time.
Q3: Why include yield in the calculation?
A: Yield accounts for imperfect reactions where not all reactant becomes product, giving a more accurate efficiency measure.
Q4: What if my catalyst amount is very small?
A: The calculator handles small values (like 1E-6 mol). Just enter the exact amount used.
Q5: Can TON be less than 1?
A: Yes, if the catalyst is inefficient or most reactant doesn't convert to product.