A compound containing only C, H, and O, was extracted from the bark of the sassafras tree. The combustion of 32.3 mg produced 87.7 mg of CO2 and 18.0 mg of H2O. The molar mass of the compound was 162 g/mol. Determine its empirical and molecular formulas.

Empirical formula: C₅H₅O

Molecular formula: C₁₀H₁₀O₂

Explanation:

When a compound containing C, H and O elements is combusted, the general reaction is:

CₐHₓOₙ + O₂ → a CO₂ + X/2 H₂O

Thus, you can find moles of carbon and hydrogen knowing moles of CO₂ and H₂O that are produced.

Moles CO₂ = Moles C = 0.0877g × (1mol / 44g) =

2.0x10⁻³ moles of CO₂ = moles C

Moles H₂O = 1/2 Moles H = 0.018g × (1mol / 18g) =

1x10⁻³ moles of H₂O; 2.0x10⁻³ moles H

The mass of the moles of C and H are:

2x10⁻³ moles C ₓ (12g / mol) = 0.024g C

2x10⁻³ moles H ₓ (1g / mol) = 0.002g H

Thus, mass of Oxygen is 32.3mg - 24mg C - 2mg O = 6.3mg O

Moles are:

0.0063g O ₓ (1mol / 16g) = 4x10⁻⁴ moles O

Empirical formula is the simplest ratio of atoms in a compound. Dividing each amount of moles for each atom in the 4x10⁻⁴ moles of oxygen (The lower moles), you will obtain:

C: 2.0x10⁻³ / 4x10⁻⁴ = 5

H: 2.0x10⁻³ / 4x10⁻⁴ = 5

O:  4x10⁻⁴ / 4x10⁻⁴ = 1

Thus, empirical formula is:

The molar mass of the empirical formula is:

12×5 + 1×5 + 16×1 = 81g/mol

As molar mass of the compound is 162g/mol, molecular formula is twice empirical formula:

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