Combustion of C13H18O2?

Question

Ibuprofen is an anti-inflammatory medicine write and balance the reaction formula for the complete combustion of C13H18O2(ibuprofen). And explain the process step by step.

So I get that when it it’s burned/combusted with oxygen It should be like this -

C13H18O2 + O2

and I searched and found that the products are carbon dioxide and water like this-

C13H18O2 + O2 →CO2 + H2O

But I literally don’t understand how you get the products CO2 and H2O here like how ?

Someone explain and answer. I’m lost

Answer 1

Any time there is a combustion reaction of a carbon/hydrogen containing compound, the products will be CO2 (carbon dioxide) and H2O (water). It is basically an oxidation and reduction reaction because oxygen gas (O2) is being used and is converted to CO2 and H2O. At any rate, the way to balance these is to first balance the C atoms.

C₁₃H₁₈O₂ + O₂ ==> CO₂ + H₂O

C₁₃H₁₈O₂ + O₂ ==> 13CO₂ + H₂O balanced for C ... next balance H atoms

C₁₃H₁₈O₂ + O₂ ==> 13CO₂ + 9H₂O balanced for C and H ... finally balance the O atoms

C₁₃H₁₈O₂ + 16.5 O₂ ==> 13CO₂ + 9H₂O balanced for C, H and O, but we don't want fractions (multiply by 2)

2C₁₃H₁₈O₂ + 33 O₂ ==> 26CO₂ + 18H₂O final balanced equation