Question

A compound has a formula mass of 228.0 and an empirical formula of C2H4O3. What is the molecular formula

Answer 1

C₆H₁₈O₉

Step-by-step explanation:

First we calculate the molar mass of the compound represented by the empirical formula:

• Molar Mass = (Molar mass of C) * 2 + (Molar Mass of H) * 4 + (Molar Mass of O) * 3

• Molar Mass = 12 * 2 + 1 * 4 + 16 * 3 = 76 g/mol

Then we divide the given formula mass by the calculated molar mass:

• 228 / 76 = 3

Thus we multiply by 3 the subscripts in the empirical formula:

• The molecular formula is C₆H₁₈O₉