Vitamin C contains three elements, i.e. carbon, hydrogen and oxygen. Analysis of pure vitamin C shows that these elements are present in the following mass percentage : C = 40.9%, H = 4.58% and O = 54.5%. Determine the simplest formula of Vitamin C.
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11th
Chemistry
Organic Chemistry - Some Basic Principles and Techniques
Qualitative Analysis of Organic Compounds
Analysis of vitamin C shows...
CHEMISTRY
Analysis of vitamin C shows that it contains 40.92% carbon by mass, 4.58% hydrogen and 54.50% oxygen. Determine the empirical formula of vitamin C.
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Vitamin C contains 40.92% carbon by mass, 4.58% hydrogen and 54.50% oxygen.
100 g of vitamin C will contain 40.92 g C, 4.58 g, H and 54.50 g O.
The atomic masses of C, H and O are 12 g/mol, 1 g/mol and 16 g/mol respectively.
The number of moles of C=
12 g/mol
40.92 g
=3.4 mol.
The number of moles of H=
1 g/mol
4.58 g
=4.58 mol.
The number of moles of O=
16 g/mol
54.50 g
=3.40 mol.
The mole ratio C: H : O = 3.4 : 4.58 : 3.4 = 3 : 4 : 3
The empirical formula of vitamin C is C
3
H
4
O
3
.