Final answer:
The molecular formula for the compound with m = 102 is C6H8O6. The degree of unsaturation, calculated using the formula (2C + 2 + N - H - X)/2, is three unsaturations for this molecular formula.
Step-by-step explanation:
The student's question revolves around determining the molecular formula and the degree of unsaturation (U) of a compound with a given molar mass (m = 102). The number of degrees of unsaturation is a concept in organic chemistry that is used to summarize the number of rings and pi bonds in a molecule. This value can be determined through formulas that incorporate the number of hydrogens, carbons, nitrogens, and halogens in a molecule.
Based on the information given that 2 x C3H4O3 = C6H8O6, the molecular formula would be C6H8O6. Since this compound has a molar mass of 176 grams per mole, and the empirical formula C3H4O3 has a molar mass of approximately 88 grams per mole, the molecular formula of the compound is indeed C6H8O6 as the multiplication of the empirical formula mass by two gives the correct molar mass of the molecule.
To calculate the degree of unsaturation, the formula is: U = (2C + 2 + N - H - X)/2, where C is the number of carbons, N is the number of nitrogens, H is the number of hydrogens, and X is the number of halogens. For C6H8O6, the degree of unsaturation is calculated as: U = (2(6) + 2 - 8)/2 = (12 + 2 - 8)/2 = 6/2 = 3. Therefore, the degree of unsaturation is Three Unsaturation.