Question

A compound has an empirical formula of C₇H₁₂O and a formula mass of 224 g/mol. What is the compound’s molecular formula?

Answer 1

Empirical formula = $C_7H_{12}O$

Mass of the empirical formula compound = $((12×7)+(1×12)+(16))=$

$84+12+16 = 112$g/mol

(Empirical formula)_n = Molecular formula

$\therefore$ n × Empirical mass = Molecular (Formula) mass

n × 112 = 224

n = 2

Molecular formula = $(C_7H_{12}O)_n$

$= (C_7H_{12}O)_2 = C_{14}H_{24}O_2$