Question

A possible empirical formula, for an organic compound of molar mass 150 g mol-1 is
A) CH2O
B) C3H6O
C) CH2O2
D) C2H3O
E) HCO2

Answer 1

Given:

Compound has molar mass 150 g/mol.

To find:

Empirical formula from the options ?

Calculation:

The trick to solve these kind of questions is to find out which option's total mass has 150 g/mol as it's multiple !

A) CH2O

Mass = 12 + 2 + 16 = 40 g/mol, does not have 150 as it's multiple.

B) C3H6O

Mass = 36 + 6 + 16 = 56 g/mol, doesn't have 150 as it's multiple.

C) CH2O2

Mass = 12 + 2 + 32 = 46 g/mol, doesn't have 150 as it's multiple.

D) C2H3O

Mass = 24 + 3 + 16 = 43 g/mol, doesn't have 150 as it's multiple.

E) HCO2

Mass = 1 + 12 + 32 = 45 g/mol, doesn't have 150 as it's multiple.

So, none of the options are correct !