Question

On analysis, a substance was found to contain:

C = 54.54%, H = 9.09%, O = 36.36%

The vapour density of the substance is 44, calculate its molecular formula.

Answer 1

Molecular weight of the compound = 88

Empirical formula weight of the compound = 2 × 12 + 4 × 1 + 16

= 24 + 4 +16

= 44

n =  `"Molecular weight"/"Empirical formula weight"`

= `88/4`

= 2

∴ The molecular formula of the compound = C₄H₈O₂