What is the molecular formula of a compound with a molar mass of 180.2 grams/mole and the empirical formula $CH_2O$ ?

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Answer 1 · 2016-02-09T16:42:05

The molecular formula is ALWAYS a whole number multiple of the empirical formula.

Thus $"MOLECULAR FORMULA"$ $=$ $("EMPIRICAL FORMULA")xxn$ .

So $180.2*g*mol^-1=nxx(12.011 +2xx1.00794+15.999)*g*mol^-1 = 30xxn$ .

$n=6$ , and $"MOLECULAR FORMULA"$ $=$ $6xx(CH_2O) = C_6H_12O_6$ .

What is the molecular formula of a compound with a molar mass of 180.2 grams/mole and the empirical formula CH_2OCH_2O?