Answer to Question #190001 in General Chemistry for Tyler Drotning

Question

The empirical formula of an unknown compound containing only carbon hydrogen and oxygen was found to be CH2O. In a separate experiment the molar mass of the molecule was determined to be 60 g/mol. What is the molecular formula of the compound?

Answer will be in C#H#O#

Answer 1

Empirical formula = CH₂O

Empirical formula mass =

12g/mol + 2g/mol + 16g/mol = 30g/mol

$\frac{Molecular formula mass}{Empirical formula mass}$ = $\frac{60g/mol}{30g/mol}$ = 2

Molecular formula = 2 × CH₂O = C₂H₄O₂