A study was conducted by Union Carbided to identify the opti

A study was conducted by Union Carbided to identify the optimal catalyst preparation conditions in the conversion of monoethanolamine (MEA) to ethylenediamine (EDA), a substance used commercially in soaps. The initial experimental plan was chosen to screen 4 metals (Fe, Co, Ni, and Cu) and four catalyst support classes (low acidity, high acidity, porous, and high surface area).

How many metal-support combinations are possible for this experiment? From what is given how do you decide what approach to take to find the answer? Thank you!

Solution

We are given 4 metals and 4 catalyst support classes.

As repetition of catalyst support classes is allowed,each metal can be combined with any of the 4 catalyst support classes.

Therefore, the total number of ways in which this can be done is 4*4*4*4 = 256

Explanation:

Let the first metal be Fe. We can choose the catalyst support class(CSC) for it in 4 ways.

Let the next metal be Co. For this, there are 4 more ways to choose the CSC.

Therefore, for every choice in Fe, there are 4 ways to choose the CSC for Co. Therefore, there are now 4*4 ways to choose.

Using similar analysis for the other two metals, we get 4*4*4*4=256 possible combinations.