Element | % composition | At. wt. | Relative no. of atoms | Simplest ratio |
---|---|---|---|---|
Carbon | 57.82 | 12 | 57.12/12 = 4.81 | 4.81/2.41 = 2 × 2 = 4 |
Oxygen | 38.58 | 16 | 38.58/16 = 2.41 | 2.41/2.41 = 1 × 2 = 2 |
Hydrogen | 3.60 | 1 | 3.60/1 = 3.6 | 3.60/2.41 = 1.5 × 2 = 3 |
C : O : H = 4 : 2 : 3
Simplest ratio of whole numbers = 4 : 2 : 3
Hence, the empirical formula is C4O2H3 or C4H3O2
Empirical formula weight = (4 × 12) + (3 × 1) + (2 × 16)
= 48 + 3 + 32
= 83
Vapour density (V.D.) = 83
Molecular weight = 2 × V.D.
= 2 × 83 = 166
n = Molecular\ weight\over Empirical\ formula\ weight
= 166\over 83 = 2
Molecular formula = (C4H3O2)2 = C8H6O4
∴ Molecular formula = C8H6O4