Question

A compound has an empirical formula $C _{2} H _{4} O$. An independent analysis gave a value of $132.16$ for its molecular mass. What is the correct molecular formula?

• A. $C _{4} H _{4} O _{5}$
• B. $C _{10} H _{12}$
• C. $C _{7} O _{3}$
• D. $C _{6} H _{12} O _{3}$

Answer 1

Answer: (D)

Empirical formula weight $C _{2} H _{4} O =(12 \times 2+4+16)=44$
Molecular formula$=\frac{\text { Mol. wt }}{\text { Eq. formula wt. }} \times$ Empirical Formula
$=\frac{132.1}{44} \times$ Emperical formula
$=3 \times C _{2} H _{4} O = C _{6} H _{12} O _{3}$