The molecular formula of the compound is PCl₃ if the molecular mass of the compound is 137.32 g/mol.
An empirical formula can be described as a formula that tells about the relative ratios of different atoms in a compound.
The empirical formula for this compound containing phosphorus and chlorine can be calculated as follows;
As the compound is composed of 22.5% phosphorous and 77.5% chlorine, therefore;
Phosphorus = (22.5/100) × 137.32 = 0.225 × 137.32 = 30.897
Chlorine = (77.5/100) × 137.32 = 0.775 × 137.32 = 106.423
Now we can find the moles of each atom by using their molar mass as follows;
Phosphorus = 30.897 ÷ 30.97 = 0.998 moles
Chlorine = 106.423 ÷ 35.453 = 3.002 moles
Now dividing each mole value by the smallest determined number of moles (0.998) as follows;
Phosphorus = 0.998 / 0.998 = 1 mole
Chlorine = 3.002 / 0.998 = 3.008 ≈ 3 moles
Therefore the molecular formula of the compound will be PCl₃.
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