Answer:
C4H6O4
Explanation:
First, the empirical formula needs to be calculated as follows
- Divide each element mass by its molar mass to convert to moles
C = 40.68/12 = 3.39moles
H = 5.08/1 = 5.08moles
O = 54.24/16 = 3.39moles
Next, we divide each mole value by the smallest (3.39moles)
C = 3.39/3.39 = 1
H = 5.08/3.39 = 1.5
O = 3.39/3.39 = 1
To get the empirical formula of this molecule, we multiply all by 2 to have:
C = 2
H = 3
O = 2
The empirical formula of C,H,O = 2:3:2
That is, C2H3O2
Next, we find the molecular formula as follows:
(C2H3O2)n = 118.1
{12(2) + 1(3) + 16(2)}n = 118.1
24 + 3 + 32 = 118.1
59n = 118.1
n = 118.1/59
n = 2.001
Therefore, the molecular formula is:
(C2H3O2)2
= C4H6O4
= 71.2 g