Question

Allicin, a potent antibacterial compound, is formed by the enzyme alliinase when garlic is chopped or damaged. Allicin contains carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, and sulfur atoms. In combustion analysis, a 10.00 mg sample of allicin produced 16.27 mg of CO2, 5.55 mg of water, and 7.90 mg of SO2. What is the empirical formula of allicin?

a. C6H109,0
b. C3HSSO
c. C12H20SO
d. CH SO
e. The moles of oxygen in the sample cannot be determined, so the empirical formula cannot be determined.

Answer 1

To find the empirical formula of allicin, we calculate the moles of carbon, hydrogen, sulfur, and oxygen individually based on the given combustion analysis data, then divide by the smallest number of moles to get a whole number ratio. The empirical formula is found to be C3H5SO.

Step-by-step explanation:

Empirical Formula of Allicin

To find the empirical formula of allicin, we need to determine the moles of carbon, hydrogen, sulfur, and oxygen from the given data. We start by analyzing the products of combustion. Carbon is present in CO2, hydrogen in H2O, and sulfur in SO2. The mass of the substance produced provides the amount of each element in the original sample.

1. 
   
3. 
   
5. 
   
7. 
   

Finally, divide all mole values by the smallest number of moles calculated to get the simplest whole number ratio of atoms in allicin. This yields the empirical formula C3H5SO, which is necessary to solve the problem posed by the student.