Question

Monosodium glutamate (MSG), a flavor enhancer, has been blamed for "Chinese restaurant syndrome," the symptoms of which are headaches and chest pains. MSG has the following composition by mass: 35.51 percent C, 4.77 percent H, 37.85 percent O, 8.29 percent N, and 13.60 percent Na. What is its molecular formula if its molar mass is about 169 g?

Answer 1

Answer:

The molecular formula of mono sodium glutamate is $C_5H_8O_4N_1Na_1$

Explanation:

Molar mass of sodium glutamate,M = 169 g/mol

let the molecular formula be $C_aH_bO_cN_dNa_e$

Percentage of carbon in the M.S.G. =35.52 %

$35.51\%=\frac{a\times 12 g/mol}{169 g/mol}$

a = 5

Percentage of Hydrogen in the M.S.G. = 4.77 %

$4.77\%=\frac{b\times 1 g/mol}{169 g/mol}$

b = 8

Percentage of oxygen in the M.S.G. =37.85 %

$8.29\%=\frac{c\times 16 g/mol}{169 g/mol}$

c = 3.99 ≈ 4

Percentage of nitrogen in the M.S.G. = 8.29 %

$4.77\%=\frac{d\times 14 g/mol}{169 g/mol}$

d = 1

Percentage of sodium in the M.S.G. =13.60 %

$13.60\%=\frac{c\times 23g/mol}{169 g/mol}$

e = 0.99 ≈ 1

The molecular formula be :$C_aH_bO_cN_dNa_e=C_5H_8O_4N_1Na_1$