Question

A compound is determined to have the empirical formula C2OH4. If the molar mass of the compound is 132 g/mol, determine the molecular formula of the compound.

Answer 1

Answer: The molecular formula will be $C_6O_3H_{12}$

Explanation:

Molecular formula is the chemical formula which depicts the actual number of atoms of each element present in the compound.  

Empirical formula is the simplest chemical formula which depicts the whole number of atoms of each element present in the compound.  

Empirical weight of $C_2OH_{4}$ is $12\times 2+16\times 1+1\times 4=44g$

Molecular mass of compound is = 132 g

Now we have to calculate the molecular formula.

$n=\frac{\text{Molecular weight}}{\text{Equivalent weight}}=\frac{132}{44}=3$

The molecular formula will be=$3\times C_2OH_4=C_6O_3H_{12}$