Question

The rotten smell of a decaying animal carcass is partially due to a nitrogen-containing compound called putrescine. Elemental analysis of putrescine indicates that it consists of 54.50% C, 13.73% H, and 31.77% N. Calculate the empirical formula of putrescine. (Hint: Begin by assuming a 100-g sample and determining the mass of each element in that 100-g sample.)

Answer 1

Answer:C2H6N

Explanation:

Putrescine formula is C4H12N2

Assuming 100g sample is present

The percent changes to grams and it is converted to moles by dividing it with the atomic masses.

C= 54.50g/12 = 4.541moles

H = 13.73g/1 = 13.73moles

N= 31.77g/14 = 2.269moles

Divide through with the smallest moles value.

C= 4.541/2.269 = 2

H= 13.73/2.269=6

N= 2.269/2.269=1

Therefore the empirical formula is

C2H6N