Empirical Formula of Organic Compounds By Sally Chen

- An organic compound is a covalent compound containing carbon.
- Process:
     -find CO2 and H2O (mole)
     -find C and H
     -C:H
     -CxHx
     -check the answer
     -if the totals don't balance, there is another element in the compound (usually O or N)
              -difference of totals = mass of the other element
     -CxHx or CxHxUx
- Example
     An organic compound weighed 99.99 g was burnt and in the product there is 191.29 g carbon dioxide and 117.36 g water.  (there IS the element O in the compound)
           - CO2:  191.29 g x 1 mol / 44.0 g = 4.3475 mol
             H2O:  117.36 g x 1 mol / 18.0 g = 6.52 mol
           - C:  4.3475 mol
             H:  13.04 mol
           - C:H = 1:2.999424957 = 1:3
           - Check:  C:  4.3475 mol x 12.0 g / 1 mol = 52.17 g
                       H:  13.04 mol x 1.0 g / 1 mol = 13.04 g
                       52.17 g + 13.04 g = 65.21 g < 99.99 g
           - O:  99.99 g - 65.21 g = 34.78 g
             34.78 g x 1 mol / 16.0 g = 2.17375 mol
           - C:H:O = 1:2.999424957:2.17375 = 1:3:2.17375 = 2:6:1
           - C2H6O