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1.) dimethyl oxalate is a molecular compound of composition CxHyOz and is 40.68%

ID: 1033107 • Letter: 1

Question

1.) dimethyl oxalate is a molecular compound of composition CxHyOz and is 40.68% C, 5.122%H and 54.19%O by weight. The formula weight is known to lie within the range 101-123 g/mol. a.) what is the empirical formula of dimethyl oxalate? b.) what is the molecular formula of dimethyl oxalate?

1.) dimethyl oxalate is a molecular compound of composition CxHyOz and is 40.68% C, 5.122%H and 54.19%O by weight. The formula weight is known to lie within the range 101-123 g/mol. a.) what is the empirical formula of dimethyl oxalate? b.) what is the molecular formula of dimethyl oxalate?

a.) what is the empirical formula of dimethyl oxalate? b.) what is the molecular formula of dimethyl oxalate?


Explanation / Answer

calculate atomic ratio by dividing percent composition by atomic mass

mass ratio of carbon = 40.68/12 = 3.39

mass ratio of hydrogen = 5.122/1 = 5.122

mass ratio of oxigen = 54.19/16 = 3.39

calculate simplest ratio by dividing atomic ratio by smallest atomic ratio

simplest ratio of carbon = 3.39/3.39 =1

simplest ratio of hydrogen =5.122/3.39 =1.5

simplest ratio of oxigen = 3.39/3.39 =1

convert fractional number into whole number by multiplying by 2

for carbon = 2x1 =2

for hydrogen = 1.5x2 = 3

for oxigen =1x2 =2

empirical formula of compound is = C2H3O2

empirical formula of dimethyl oxalate is = C2H3O2

empirical formula mass of compound = 12 x 2 + 3 x1 + 16 x2 = 59 g/mol

if we multiply empirical formula weight by 2 we get mass = 59 X 2 = 118 g/mol it is between 101 to 123 gm/mol

therefore multiply empirical formula by 2 we get molecular formula

molecular formula is C4H6O4   

  

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