An organic compound contains carbon, hydrogen and oxygen. Its elemental analysis gave C, 38.71% and H, 9.67%. The empirical formula of the compound would be
- CHO
- CH4O
- CH3O
- CH2O
Answer
(3) CH3O
Solution
% O = 100 - (38.71 + 9.67) = 51.62
Relative number of moles:
C = 38.7112 = 3.226
H = 9.671 = 9.67
O = 51.6216 = 3.226
⇒ Simplest ratio C : H : O = 3.2263.226 : 9.673.226 : 3.2263.226 = 1 : 3 : 1
∴ Empirical formula = CH3O
Answer: (3)