The preparation of 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene TNT from toluene and nitric acid involves a nitration reaction. The balanced chemical equation for this reaction is:C7H8 + 3 HNO3 C7H5N3O6 + 3 H2OToluene C7H8 reacts with nitric acid HNO3 to form 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene C7H5N3O6 and water H2O .To calculate the theoretical yield of TNT, we first need to determine the limiting reactant. In this case, we are given 50 grams of toluene and excess nitric acid, so toluene is the limiting reactant.Next, we need to find the molar mass of toluene and TNT:Toluene C7H8 : 7 12.01 + 8 1.01 = 92.14 g/molTNT C7H5N3O6 : 7 12.01 + 5 1.01 + 3 14.01 + 6 16.00 = 227.13 g/molNow, we can calculate the moles of toluene used in the reaction:moles of toluene = mass of toluene / molar mass of toluenemoles of toluene = 50 g / 92.14 g/mol = 0.542 molAccording to the balanced chemical equation, 1 mole of toluene reacts to produce 1 mole of TNT. Therefore, the moles of TNT produced will be the same as the moles of toluene used:moles of TNT = 0.542 molFinally, we can calculate the theoretical yield of TNT:mass of TNT = moles of TNT molar mass of TNTmass of TNT = 0.542 mol 227.13 g/mol = 123.04 gThe theoretical yield of 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene is 123.04 grams.